CVE-2026-96860 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 10/15/2026
Out-of-bounds read in Windows USB Print Driver allows an authorized attacker to disclose information locally.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2026
The vulnerability identified as an out-of-bounds read within the Windows USB Print Driver represents a critical memory safety flaw that compromises the integrity of system data through unauthorized disclosure. This specific defect occurs when the driver processes input from connected Universal Serial Bus printing devices, failing to adequately validate buffer boundaries before reading data into memory structures. When a malicious actor interacts with this component by connecting a specially crafted device or manipulating existing print queues, they can trigger an access violation that reads beyond the allocated limits of a designated memory region. This behavior is characteristic of CWE-125, which defines out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities where software accesses memory outside the intended buffer boundaries, potentially leading to information leakage rather than immediate code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability centers on local privilege escalation and sensitive data exposure. Because the flaw resides in a kernel-mode driver that operates with high system privileges, an authorized attacker who has already gained access to the endpoint can exploit this condition to read arbitrary memory contents from the operating system's address space. This capability allows for the extraction of cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential information stored in adjacent memory locations. The attack vector is classified as local, requiring physical proximity to the target machine or prior authentication credentials, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically focusing on command and script interpretation through peripheral device interaction if applicable, though primarily it falls under privilege escalation via driver exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a multi-layered approach involving both immediate patching and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations must ensure that the latest security updates provided by Microsoft are applied to all affected Windows systems, as these patches typically include bounds checking logic or memory sanitization routines designed to prevent such out-of-bounds accesses. Furthermore, implementing strict device control policies through endpoint detection and response solutions can restrict unauthorized USB devices from connecting to critical infrastructure. Developers should also adopt secure coding practices that emphasize rigorous input validation and the use of safe memory management libraries to eliminate similar classes of errors in future driver updates, thereby reducing the attack surface for local information disclosure attacks.