CVE-2026-50372 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
Buffer over-read in Windows Redirected Drive Buffering allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges 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 redirected drive buffering mechanism that enables local privilege escalation for authenticated attackers. The flaw exists in how the operating system handles memory allocation and data processing when managing redirected drive operations, specifically within the kernel-level components responsible for buffering file system requests. When an authorized user with standard privileges executes malicious code that triggers this vulnerability, the system's memory management routines fail to properly validate buffer boundaries during data transfer operations between local and remote storage resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the Windows kernel's file system redirector subsystem. CWE-129 defines this as an improper input validation issue where the system fails to verify that buffer access operations remain within allocated memory boundaries. During redirected drive operations, when file data is transferred through buffering mechanisms, the code does not adequately check array indices or buffer sizes before performing memory reads, resulting in a situation where subsequent memory locations are accessed beyond the intended buffer limits. This over-read condition can expose sensitive kernel memory contents including credential information, security tokens, and other privileged data structures that should remain protected from user-mode access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract kernel memory segments containing authentication credentials, cryptographic keys, or process tokens that facilitate further exploitation. The vulnerability operates within the Windows ATT&CK framework under the Privilege Escalation tactic, specifically utilizing T1068 which covers local privilege escalation techniques. Once successfully exploited, the attacker gains access to elevated system privileges that can be used to modify system files, install persistent backdoors, or establish lateral movement capabilities within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches that address the underlying buffer management logic in the redirected drive buffering subsystem. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect anomalous file system activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, privilege separation mechanisms and least-privilege principles should be enforced to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust memory safety practices in kernel-level code development and demonstrates why automated code analysis tools and formal verification methods are essential for preventing such critical flaws in operating system components. Organizations must also consider implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention to make exploitation more difficult even if patches are not immediately available.