Description
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows NTFS allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges with a physical attack.
Published: 2026-07-14
Score: 6.8 Medium
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

The vulnerability is a heap‑based buffer overflow that can be triggered when the operating system processes certain file‑system structures in ReFS, but the official description indicates that the flaw arises in the NTFS subsystem. An attacker who can physically reach the target machine can construct a malicious file system image or otherwise manipulate low‑level structures, causing the overflow and potentially allowing the execution of arbitrary code with system authority. The flaw is categorized as CWE‑122.

Affected Systems

Microsoft Windows 10 versions 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2; Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, 26H1; Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025 including Server Core installations.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 6.8 indicates moderate severity, while an EPSS score of < 1% reflects a very low likelihood that the vulnerability will be exploited in the wild. It is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, further suggesting limited current exploitation activity. The attack vector is inferred to be physical, requiring direct access to the affected devices to craft the exploit payload and trigger the overflow. If successful, privilege escalation would grant the attacker full control over the compromised system.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 1, 2026 at 09:38 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Install the Microsoft patch that fixes the ReFS/NTFS heap overflow as soon as it is released.
  • Secure the physical environment by restricting access to critical servers and workstations, preventing unauthorized individuals from manipulating file‑system structures.
  • Enable and review operating‑system audit logs to detect anomalous file‑system activity or unexpected privilege changes that could indicate an attempt to exploit the overflow.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 1, 2026 at 09:38 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 14:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Tue, 14 Jul 2026 17:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows NTFS allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges with a physical attack.
Title Windows Resilient File System (ReFS) Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
First Time appeared Microsoft
Microsoft windows 10 1607
Microsoft windows 10 1809
Microsoft windows 10 21h2
Microsoft windows 10 22h2
Microsoft windows 11 24h2
Microsoft windows 11 25h2
Microsoft windows 11 26h1
Microsoft windows Server 2016
Microsoft windows Server 2019
Microsoft windows Server 2022
Microsoft windows Server 2025
Weaknesses CWE-122
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21H2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22H2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24H2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25H2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_26H1:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Microsoft
Microsoft windows 10 1607
Microsoft windows 10 1809
Microsoft windows 10 21h2
Microsoft windows 10 22h2
Microsoft windows 11 24h2
Microsoft windows 11 25h2
Microsoft windows 11 26h1
Microsoft windows Server 2016
Microsoft windows Server 2019
Microsoft windows Server 2022
Microsoft windows Server 2025
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C'}


Subscriptions

Microsoft Windows 10 1607 Windows 10 1809 Windows 10 21h2 Windows 10 22h2 Windows 11 24h2 Windows 11 25h2 Windows 11 26h1 Windows Server 2016 Windows Server 2019 Windows Server 2022 Windows Server 2025
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: microsoft

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-03T22:56:32.369Z

Reserved: 2026-06-05T14:33:50.832Z

Link: CVE-2026-50668

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-07-15T13:58:09.579Z

cve-icon NVD

No data.

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-01T09:45:03Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-122

    Heap-based Buffer Overflow