CVE-2026-56175
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows NTFS 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 heap-based buffer overflow condition within the Windows NTFS file system implementation that enables local privilege escalation for authenticated users. The flaw exists in how the NTFS subsystem handles memory allocation and data processing during file system operations, specifically when managing heap structures used for storing file metadata and directory entries. Attackers who possess legitimate user credentials can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious file system operations that trigger the buffer overflow condition, leading to arbitrary code execution within the kernel context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking in NTFS file system routines that process file names, directory structures, or metadata attributes. When legitimate user operations are performed on files or directories within an NTFS volume, the system allocates heap memory to store intermediate processing results. However, insufficient validation allows malicious input data to exceed allocated buffer boundaries, causing adjacent heap memory to be overwritten. This heap corruption can be leveraged by attackers to manipulate kernel data structures and execute code with SYSTEM privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system's kernel execution environment. Once successfully exploited, the attacker gains unrestricted access to all system resources including file systems, network connections, and user credentials stored in memory. The vulnerability affects all versions of Windows NTFS implementations where the specific heap management routines remain unpatched, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple Windows systems operate with authenticated user access.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying Microsoft security patches and implementing additional runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow classification and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068 for local privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider network segmentation, user access controls, and monitoring for suspicious file system activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in kernel-level file system implementations and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of core operating system components. The attack vector requires only authenticated access to the target system, making it particularly concerning for environments where user credentials might be compromised through social engineering or other means. Regular security assessments and patch management procedures become essential defensive measures against such exploitation opportunities that can lead to complete system compromise.