CVE-2026-102207 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 10/13/2026
Concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization ('race condition') in Windows Kernel allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2026
The vulnerability described constitutes a classic race condition within the Microsoft Windows kernel, specifically arising from concurrent access to a shared resource without proper synchronization mechanisms. In operating system architecture, the kernel operates at the highest privilege level, managing critical hardware resources and enforcing security boundaries between user-mode applications and the core system functions. When multiple threads or processes attempt to read or write to the same memory location or data structure simultaneously, the outcome depends on the unpredictable timing of these operations. If the developer fails to implement atomic operations, mutexes, semaphores, or other synchronization primitives, a window of opportunity opens where one thread can modify state while another is in the middle of reading it. This inconsistency leads to undefined behavior, which an attacker can exploit to manipulate kernel memory structures that dictate access control and privilege levels.
From a technical perspective, this flaw falls under CWE-362, Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization (Race Condition). The specific danger in the Windows environment is that the race condition occurs within privileged code paths. An attacker who has already achieved local execution on the target system can craft a malicious application designed to trigger this vulnerability repeatedly and rapidly. By carefully timing their requests against legitimate kernel operations, the attacker aims to win the race, causing the kernel to process data in an unexpected state. This often results in the corruption of security tokens or access control lists (ACLs), effectively bypassing standard authentication checks. The exploitation relies heavily on precise timing and high-frequency execution to ensure that the malicious thread gains control over the shared resource before the legitimate system processes can enforce consistency.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it directly facilitates local privilege escalation from a low-privileged user account to SYSTEM or kernel-level privileges. Once an attacker successfully exploits this race condition, they gain unrestricted access to the underlying operating system. This level of control allows for the installation of rootkits, theft of sensitive data such as passwords and encryption keys, modification of security policies, and the establishment of persistent backdoors that are difficult to detect using standard user-mode monitoring tools. The attacker can also disable antivirus software or logging mechanisms, further complicating incident response efforts. Because this is a kernel-level exploit, it bypasses many application-layer defenses designed to protect against remote code execution or injection attacks targeting specific services rather than the OS core itself.
In terms of threat classification and detection, this activity aligns with MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation, such as T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. Attackers typically leverage existing footholds on a system, often gained through phishing or unpatched service vulnerabilities, to execute the exploit code locally. Detection of such exploits is challenging because they do not necessarily involve network traffic but rather local process behavior and memory manipulation. Security information and event management (SIEM) systems may flag unusual spikes in kernel-mode activity or specific API calls associated with synchronization failures if configured for deep behavioral analysis. However, prevention remains the most effective strategy given the complexity of detecting race conditions in real-time without significant performance overhead.
Mitigation strategies primarily focus on patching and configuration hardening. Microsoft regularly releases security updates that address these vulnerabilities by introducing proper locking mechanisms or validating input states to prevent the race window from being exploitable. Organizations must ensure timely application of cumulative security patches for Windows operating systems, particularly those targeting kernel components. Additionally, implementing strict least-privilege policies reduces the attack surface; if users operate with standard accounts rather than administrative rights, the potential impact of a successful local privilege escalation is contained. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions can also help by monitoring for anomalous behavior patterns indicative of exploitation attempts, such as rapid creation of threads or unusual memory access patterns in kernel space, although these measures serve more as compensating controls rather than direct fixes for the underlying code flaw.