CVE-2026-50388 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
Out-of-bounds read in Windows NTFS allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition within the Windows NTFS file system implementation that enables local privilege escalation through unauthorized code execution. The flaw occurs when the operating system processes certain file system operations that fail to properly validate buffer boundaries during NTFS metadata handling, allowing an attacker with local access to craft malicious file system operations that trigger memory corruption patterns leading to arbitrary code execution within the kernel context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the NTFS file system driver where specific file operations fail to properly bounds-check array accesses or pointer dereferences when processing file attributes, directory entries, or file allocation table structures. This condition creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate file system data structures to cause the kernel to read memory locations beyond allocated buffers, potentially exposing sensitive kernel memory regions or enabling controlled memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation.
From an operational perspective this vulnerability poses significant risk to systems running Windows operating systems as it requires only local access to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user accounts have legitimate access to system resources. The attack vector typically involves creating specially crafted files or directories that when processed by the NTFS driver trigger the out-of-bounds read condition, potentially allowing an attacker to execute code with kernel-level privileges and bypass standard user-mode security controls.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129 and CWE-787 categories from the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically addressing improper input validation in buffer operations and out-of-bounds reads. From the MITRE ATT&CK framework this represents a privilege escalation technique under T1068, where an attacker leverages system-level vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges and execute code at kernel level. The attack chain typically begins with local user access followed by exploitation of the file system vulnerability to achieve kernel-level code execution.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches addressing the specific NTFS implementation flaw, implementing least privilege principles to limit local user access, and establishing robust monitoring for unusual file system operations that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as Windows Defender Application Control or Device Guard policies to restrict code execution in kernel contexts. Regular vulnerability assessments of file system components and network segmentation to limit lateral movement capabilities are recommended defensive measures against this class of vulnerability.