CVE-2026-50341 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
Buffer over-read in Windows NTFS allows an authorized attacker to disclose information locally.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer over-read condition within the Windows NTFS file system implementation that enables authenticated attackers to potentially access sensitive information on affected systems. The flaw occurs when the operating system processes certain file operations within the NTFS volume structure, specifically during metadata handling or file attribute processing where insufficient bounds checking allows memory reads beyond allocated buffer boundaries. Such behavior creates opportunities for information disclosure attacks where malicious code can access adjacent memory locations containing potentially sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or system configuration details. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the core file system layer of windows operating systems and requires only local authentication to exploit, making it accessible to users with legitimate system access who may have elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this buffer over-read stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within NTFS processing routines that handle file system operations. When legitimate file system calls are made through the Windows kernel interface, the underlying NTFS driver fails to properly validate the size or structure of incoming data before performing memory operations. This condition typically manifests during file attribute enumeration, directory traversal operations, or when processing extended file system metadata structures where the system attempts to read beyond predetermined buffer limits. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations. From an attack perspective, this flaw fits within the broader category of information disclosure vulnerabilities that can be leveraged to gather intelligence for subsequent attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential pathways to escalate privileges or access additional system resources through the leaked data. An attacker who successfully exploits this condition could potentially extract sensitive system information such as memory addresses, cryptographic material, or other confidential data that might aid in bypassing security controls or crafting more sophisticated attacks against the target system. The local nature of the attack requirement means that this vulnerability can be exploited by users with legitimate access to the system, including both standard users and administrators who may have elevated privileges within the operating environment. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where privilege escalation opportunities exist.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment through official microsoft security updates while implementing additional operational controls to limit potential exploitation opportunities. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant windows updates that address the specific NTFS buffer over-read condition, which typically involves kernel-level fixes to the file system driver components. Additionally, implementing least privilege access controls can reduce the attack surface by limiting user access to system resources and preventing unauthorized individuals from leveraging legitimate access to exploit the vulnerability. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous file system activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005, which covers data staging through local system information gathering activities where adversaries collect sensitive data from compromised systems. The mitigation approach should include comprehensive system monitoring for unusual file system operations and memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts against this specific buffer over-read condition.