High · published January 13, 2026
⚡ A sneaky race condition in the Windows Kernel Memory could let an authorized attacker elevate privileges locally with a well-timed exploit! 🚀 Think of this as a relay race where one runner has a split-second to swap the baton—if they time it just right, they bypass security checks and claim the prize. It’s about getting into the inner circle before the door closes! If exploited, an attacker could gain elevated privileges, essentially granting them unrestricted access to sensitive areas of the system! This means they could install malicious software, manipulate system settings, or even take control of the device entirely—a disastrous situation for any system admin!
Think of this as a relay race where one runner has a split-second to swap the baton—if they time it just right, they bypass security checks and claim the prize. It’s about getting into the inner circle before the door closes! This vulnerability is caused by a time-of-check time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition, which arises when an attacker manipulates system resources between the moment they are checked and when they are used, allowing them to execute unauthorized actions.
If exploited, an attacker could gain elevated privileges, essentially granting them unrestricted access to sensitive areas of the system! This means they could install malicious software, manipulate system settings, or even take control of the device entirely—a disastrous situation for any system admin! To protect your systems, ensure you apply the latest security patches from Microsoft as soon as they are available. Regularly audit your permissions and monitor for suspicious activities to stay one step ahead of potential exploits. 🛡️ Don't sweat it—this is fixable! Stay proactive with your updates, and you'll keep your systems rock solid! 💪✨
| Product | Versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| microsoft/windows_10_1607 | < 10.0.14393.8783 | 10.0.14393.8783 |
| microsoft/windows_10_1607 | < 10.0.14393.8783 | 10.0.14393.8783 |
| microsoft/windows_10_1809 | < 10.0.17763.8276 | 10.0.17763.8276 |
| microsoft/windows_10_1809 | < 10.0.17763.8276 | 10.0.17763.8276 |
| microsoft/windows_10_21h2 | < 10.0.19044.6809 | 10.0.19044.6809 |
| microsoft/windows_10_22h2 | < 10.0.19045.6809 | 10.0.19045.6809 |
| microsoft/windows_11_23h2 | < 10.0.22631.6491 | 10.0.22631.6491 |
| microsoft/windows_11_24h2 | < 10.0.26100.7623 | 10.0.26100.7623 |
| microsoft/windows_11_25h2 | < 10.0.26200.7623 | 10.0.26200.7623 |
| microsoft/windows_server_2012 | all versions | — |
| microsoft/windows_server_2016 | < 10.0.14393.8783 | 10.0.14393.8783 |
| microsoft/windows_server_2019 | < 10.0.17763.8276 | 10.0.17763.8276 |
| microsoft/windows_server_2022 | < 10.0.20348.4648 | 10.0.20348.4648 |
| microsoft/windows_server_2022_23h2 | < 10.0.25398.2092 | 10.0.25398.2092 |
| microsoft/windows_server_2025 | < 10.0.26100.32230 | 10.0.26100.32230 |