CVE-2026-102215 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 10/13/2026
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Universal Disk Format File System Driver (UDFS) allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2026
The vulnerability identified involves a heap-based buffer overflow within the Windows Universal Disk Format File System Driver, commonly referred to as UDFS.sys. This component is responsible for managing file systems based on the ISO 9660 standard and its extensions, which are frequently used for optical media such as CDs and DVDs, as well as certain types of disk images. The core technical flaw stems from improper validation of input data lengths when processing specific structures or requests directed at the UDFS driver. Specifically, an attacker can craft a malicious request that causes the driver to write more data into a heap-allocated buffer than it was originally allocated to hold. This out-of-bounds write operation corrupts adjacent memory regions on the heap, potentially overwriting critical metadata such as function pointers or object headers used by the Windows kernel and user-mode applications.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows for local privilege escalation from a standard user account to that of SYSTEM or other high-privilege accounts. Because the flaw resides in a kernel-mode driver, successful exploitation grants the attacker full control over the operating system's execution flow. The impact is severe as it bypasses many standard security boundaries enforced by User Account Control and integrity levels. An adversary who exploits this vulnerability can install programs, view, change, or delete any data, create new accounts with full user rights, and potentially disable security auditing features. This effectively compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the entire system infrastructure protected by that Windows installation.
The exploitation technique aligns closely with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-122, which describes a heap-based buffer overflow where memory corruption occurs in dynamically allocated memory on the heap rather than the stack. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this vulnerability facilitates privilege escalation through techniques categorized under MITRE ATT&CK Tactic TA0004, specifically leveraging improper access control or kernel exploitation primitives to bypass intended restrictions. The attacker typically needs to be an authorized user with local login capabilities or network access if remote code execution vectors are chained in conjunction with this flaw, although the primary description indicates a local attack vector requiring authentication.
Mitigation strategies primarily rely on applying vendor-supplied security patches that correct the boundary checks within the UDFS driver source code. System administrators should ensure that all Windows systems connected to their networks have the latest cumulative updates installed, as Microsoft routinely addresses such kernel-level vulnerabilities in monthly release cycles. Additionally, reducing the attack surface involves disabling unnecessary file system drivers if optical media emulation is not required for business operations. Implementing strict application whitelisting and monitoring for anomalous process creation events can also help detect exploitation attempts before they achieve full privilege escalation. Regular vulnerability scanning focused on unpatched kernel components remains essential to maintaining a secure posture against such high-severity local exploits.