CVE-2026-58528 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
Out-of-bounds read in Windows USB Audio Class driver (usbaudio.sys) allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information with a physical attack.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2026
The vulnerability described represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Windows USB Audio Class driver component known as usbaudio.sys which resides in the kernel space of the operating system. This particular weakness manifests when the driver processes audio data from USB audio devices, specifically during the handling of malformed or maliciously crafted audio packets that exceed allocated memory boundaries. The flaw exists in the driver's input validation mechanisms where it fails to properly bounds-check data received from external USB audio hardware, creating a scenario where memory access occurs beyond the intended buffer limits. Such vulnerabilities typically arise from insufficient parameter validation and inadequate memory management practices within kernel-mode drivers that directly interact with hardware components. The security implications are particularly severe given that this vulnerability can be exploited through physical attack vectors, meaning an attacker with physical access to a target system can leverage this flaw without requiring network connectivity or complex remote exploitation techniques.
The technical execution of this vulnerability requires an attacker to have physical access to the target device and the ability to connect malicious USB audio hardware or manipulate existing USB audio devices through direct hardware manipulation. The out-of-bounds read condition allows for information disclosure by enabling the attacker to read memory contents that should remain private or inaccessible to unauthorized entities. This typically occurs when the driver attempts to process audio data structures containing invalid offsets or lengths that cause the system to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive kernel memory regions including cryptographic keys, credentials, or other confidential system information. The attack surface is specifically tied to USB audio class devices that utilize the usbaudio.sys driver, making any system with USB audio capabilities vulnerable to this particular threat vector. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read which categorizes improper input validation leading to memory access violations that can result in information disclosure or system instability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk for environments where physical security controls may be insufficient or compromised, particularly in high-value target scenarios such as government facilities, corporate headquarters, or critical infrastructure sites where adversaries might attempt physical penetration. The attack methodology is relatively straightforward compared to network-based exploits since it requires only physical access and the ability to connect malicious USB hardware to the target system. This makes it particularly dangerous in environments where proper physical security measures are lacking or where insider threats exist. The information disclosure capabilities can potentially expose sensitive data that could be used for further attacks, including credential harvesting, system enumeration, or privilege escalation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1059.001: Command and Scripting Interpreter - PowerShell and T1078.004: Valid Accounts - Cloud Accounts, where the disclosed information could be leveraged for additional compromise activities. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure since the leaked memory contents may include system call tables, kernel function addresses, or other structural information that could aid in developing more sophisticated exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. Microsoft has released patches addressing this specific issue through regular security updates, requiring administrators to deploy the latest Windows updates immediately upon availability. Additionally, system administrators should implement strict USB device policies that limit the ability of unauthorized devices to connect to systems, including disabling unnecessary USB ports or implementing USB device whitelisting mechanisms. Physical security controls must be enhanced to prevent unauthorized access to target systems, particularly in high-risk environments where adversaries may attempt physical exploitation. Network segmentation and monitoring capabilities should be strengthened to detect anomalous USB device connections that could indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of kernel-mode exploit protection features such as Control Flow Guard and Address Space Layout Randomization can provide additional defense-in-depth layers against potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments focusing on physical attack surface evaluation and ensure proper incident response procedures are in place to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. The remediation process requires careful testing of patches to avoid system instability while ensuring comprehensive coverage across all affected Windows versions and device configurations.