CVE-2025-59880
Summary
by MITRE • 09/23/2025
Not used
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2026
cve-2023-45864 represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability affecting the windows operating system through improper handling of kernel-mode drivers. this flaw exists within the ntoskrnl.exe component which manages core operating system functions and memory management operations. the vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation when processing specific driver IOCTL (input/output control) requests that are designed to communicate between user-mode applications and kernel-mode drivers. attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious IOCTL commands that manipulate kernel memory structures, leading to arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges.
the technical implementation of this vulnerability involves exploitation of a race condition within the kernel's security checking mechanisms. when legitimate driver communication occurs through standard interfaces, the system fails to properly validate the integrity of incoming parameters before executing privileged operations. this creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate memory pointers or structure offsets that should remain protected from user-space modification. the flaw specifically affects systems running windows 10 version 21h2 and windows server 2022, where kernel address space layout randomization is not sufficient to prevent exploitation of the underlying logic error.
operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include complete system compromise. successful exploitation allows attackers to bypass standard security controls including user access control, code integrity checks, and driver signature enforcement mechanisms. the vulnerability enables attackers to install rootkits, modify system files, establish persistence mechanisms, and access sensitive data without detection by traditional security solutions. organizations running affected systems face potential data breaches, lateral movement within networks, and complete loss of system integrity. from a threat actor perspective, this vulnerability represents a high-value target due to its reliability and the broad attack surface it provides for further exploitation.
mitigation strategies for cve-2023-45864 require immediate patching of affected systems through microsoft security updates released in november 2023. system administrators should prioritize deployment of the windows update kb5032147 which addresses the specific kernel-mode validation issue. additional defensive measures include implementing application control policies such as microsoft defender application control to restrict unauthorized driver installations, enabling exploit protection features like payload delivery restrictions, and monitoring for suspicious IOCTL activity through endpoint detection and response solutions. network segmentation strategies should be employed to limit lateral movement potential once exploitation occurs, while regular security assessments help identify systems that may have been compromised before full system takeover.
this vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumeration cw 362 which identifies insecure interactions between components as a primary classification for privilege escalation flaws. it also maps to attack technique t1068 within the mitre att&ck framework, specifically covering local privilege escalation through kernel exploits. the exploitability characteristics make this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple systems may be running vulnerable versions of windows, creating opportunities for attackers to establish footholds and expand their access across network boundaries. organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all potentially affected systems and implement layered security approaches that reduce reliance on single defense mechanisms. the vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor kernel logic errors can create significant security implications when combined with modern attack methodologies.