CVE-2026-78452 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2026
Out-of-bounds read in Microsoft Windows SCSI Class System File allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information with a physical attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-38069 represents a critical security flaw within the Storage Control Service (Storport.sys) component of Microsoft Windows operating systems, specifically affecting versions from 1703 through Server 2025. This out-of-bounds read condition arises when the SCSI class system file processes specific commands sent by storage devices or drivers to the kernel-mode driver stack. The core technical flaw lies in the insufficient validation of input parameters during the handling of certain Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) requests, particularly those involving data transfer operations where buffer boundaries are not strictly enforced before memory access occurs. When an attacker can interact with a physical SCSI device connected to the target system, they may craft maliciously formatted commands that trigger this improper boundary check, causing the driver to read from memory locations outside the intended allocation buffers.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability is classified under CWE-125, which denotes Out-of-bounds Read, indicating that the software reads data past the end or before the beginning of the intended buffer without proper validation. The exploitation vector for this flaw requires physical access to the system's hardware interfaces, such as SATA, SAS, USB mass storage controllers, or other SCSI-compatible ports. This constraint significantly limits the attack surface compared to remote code execution vulnerabilities but elevates the severity due to the potential for local privilege escalation and sensitive data exfiltration from kernel memory space. An attacker with physical access could utilize specialized hardware tools to send crafted SCSI commands that exploit this buffer over-read, potentially leaking kernel pool contents or other protected system information into user-mode accessible buffers if subsequent processing steps are manipulated correctly.
The operational impact of successfully exploiting CVE-2024-38069 includes the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored in memory, which may contain cryptographic keys, session tokens, passwords, or proprietary application data residing within kernel space. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1507.001, specifically Drive Cloning, although more accurately it maps to T1003.002, Credential Dumping from Memory via physical access scenarios where memory scraping is facilitated by driver-level vulnerabilities. The ability to read arbitrary kernel memory can serve as a stepping stone for further attacks, including the extraction of NTLM hashes or Kerberos tickets that could be used for lateral movement within an enterprise network if the compromised machine holds domain credentials. Furthermore, such information disclosure undermines the confidentiality guarantees provided by Windows Defender System Guard and other virtualization-based security features that rely on memory isolation integrity.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying the latest cumulative updates released by Microsoft, which include patches to correct the buffer boundary checks within Storport.sys. Organizations should enforce strict physical access controls to prevent unauthorized individuals from connecting external storage devices or hardware tools directly to system ports. Implementing BIOS/UEFI settings that disable unused SATA or USB ports can further reduce the attack surface for this specific vector. Additionally, deploying endpoint detection and response solutions capable of monitoring unusual SCSI command patterns may provide an additional layer of defense against exploitation attempts in environments where physical security cannot be fully guaranteed. Regular auditing of hardware connection logs and enforcing policies regarding removable media usage are also recommended practices to mitigate risks associated with physically accessible vulnerabilities like this one.