CVE-2025-50152 Overview
CVE-2025-50152 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the Windows Kernel that enables local privilege escalation. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can exploit the flaw to elevate to SYSTEM-level access on affected Windows client and server platforms. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read and affects a broad range of supported Windows versions, including Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2016 through 2025. Microsoft addressed the issue in the October 2025 Patch Tuesday release.
Critical Impact
Local attackers with standard user privileges can read out-of-bounds kernel memory to escalate to SYSTEM, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the host.
Affected Products
- Microsoft Windows 10 (versions 1507, 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2)
- Microsoft Windows 11 (versions 22H2, 23H2, 24H2, 25H2)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, 2022 23H2, and 2025
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-10-14 - CVE-2025-50152 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-50152
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Windows Kernel, the privileged core of the operating system responsible for memory management, process scheduling, and hardware abstraction. An out-of-bounds read occurs when kernel code accesses memory outside the intended buffer boundaries. This flaw allows an authorized local attacker to read kernel memory that should be inaccessible to user-mode processes.
Successful exploitation leads to local privilege escalation, giving the attacker SYSTEM-level control over the affected host. The attack requires local access and low-privilege authentication but no user interaction. Given the breadth of affected Windows client and server versions, the vulnerability presents a significant post-compromise risk in enterprise environments.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper validation of memory access boundaries within a Windows Kernel routine [CWE-125]. When the vulnerable code path processes attacker-controlled input, it reads beyond the allocated buffer. This exposes adjacent kernel memory contents, which can include pointers, tokens, or other sensitive structures useful for constructing a full privilege escalation chain. Microsoft has not published detailed technical specifics of the vulnerable component.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local. An attacker must first execute code on the target system as a low-privileged user, for example through phishing, a malicious binary, or a prior remote code execution foothold. The attacker then invokes the vulnerable kernel path to leak memory contents. Leaked data is typically combined with additional primitives to bypass kernel address space layout randomization (KASLR) and elevate to SYSTEM. See the Microsoft Security Update CVE-2025-50152 advisory for vendor guidance.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-50152
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected process token elevation events where a low-privilege process suddenly acquires SYSTEM context.
- Kernel-mode crashes, bugchecks, or stop errors correlated with anomalous user-mode activity.
- Execution of unsigned or newly introduced binaries that immediately trigger kernel API calls associated with the vulnerable component.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor Windows Security Event ID 4672 (special privileges assigned) for unexpected accounts gaining sensitive privileges.
- Baseline normal kernel driver loads and alert on unsigned drivers or drivers loaded by non-administrative processes.
- Correlate process creation with subsequent token manipulation or parent-child anomalies indicative of exploitation chains.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Ingest Windows kernel and security telemetry into a centralized analytics platform for behavioral correlation across endpoints.
- Enable enhanced audit logging for process integrity level changes and privilege assignment events.
- Track patch compliance state across all Windows endpoints and servers to prioritize unpatched high-value hosts.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-50152
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the October 2025 security updates from Microsoft to all affected Windows client and server systems without delay.
- Prioritize patching on multi-user systems, domain controllers, and servers where local privilege escalation carries higher business impact.
- Restrict local logon rights and remove unnecessary local accounts to reduce the pool of principals capable of triggering the vulnerable code path.
Patch Information
Microsoft released fixes as part of the October 14, 2025 Patch Tuesday cycle. Refer to the Microsoft Security Update CVE-2025-50152 advisory for KB article numbers matched to each Windows build. Verify that the update installs successfully and that the system reboots to complete patch application.
Workarounds
- No official vendor workaround has been published; applying the security update is the recommended remediation.
- Enforce least-privilege access, application allowlisting, and endpoint protection to limit an attacker's ability to execute local code on unpatched hosts.
- Segment high-value systems and monitor for lateral movement to contain exploitation attempts pending patch deployment.
# Verify patch installation on Windows via PowerShell
Get-HotFix | Sort-Object -Property InstalledOn -Descending | Select-Object -First 20
# Check current Windows build to confirm October 2025 update level
[System.Environment]::OSVersion.Version
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
