CVE-2026-69457: Windows USB Driver Information Disclosure

CVE-2026-69457 Overview

CVE-2026-69457 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability [CWE-125] in the Windows USB Driver. An authorized local attacker can exploit this flaw to disclose sensitive information from adjacent kernel memory. The vulnerability requires local access and low-level privileges but no user interaction.

Microsoft published the advisory through the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC). The flaw affects the confidentiality of the host system without impacting integrity or availability. Successful exploitation can expose kernel memory contents useful for chaining with other privilege escalation techniques.

Critical Impact
An authorized local attacker can read out-of-bounds memory in the Windows USB Driver to disclose potentially sensitive kernel information.

Affected Products

Microsoft Windows (Windows USB Driver component)
See the Microsoft Security Update Guide for the authoritative list of affected Windows builds
Systems running unpatched Windows USB Driver versions

Discovery Timeline

2026-09-08 - CVE-2026-69457 published to NVD
2026-09-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-69457

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds read [CWE-125] in the Windows USB Driver. The driver reads memory outside the bounds of an allocated buffer during processing of USB-related data structures. This exposes adjacent kernel memory to a local caller.

Because the flaw exists in a kernel-mode driver, disclosed data may include pointers, credentials, cryptographic material, or other kernel structures. An attacker can use this information to defeat kernel address space layout randomization (KASLR) or to chain with a separate privilege escalation flaw. The impact is limited to confidentiality; integrity and availability are not affected.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient bounds validation when the Windows USB Driver processes attacker-controlled input. The driver dereferences memory offsets without confirming that the resulting read stays within the intended buffer. Refer to the Microsoft Security Update Guide for the vendor's technical description.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access with low privileges. An authorized user runs code on the target system that interacts with the vulnerable USB driver interface. No user interaction is required. Remote exploitation over a network is not possible.

No public proof-of-concept exploit is available at the time of publication, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The EPSS probability is approximately 0.397%, indicating a low forecasted likelihood of exploitation in the near term.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-69457

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected user-mode processes issuing repeated IOCTL requests to USB driver interfaces
Unusual kernel memory access patterns originating from non-administrative processes
Presence of unsigned or unknown binaries interacting with USB device stacks on endpoints

Detection Strategies

Monitor for anomalous handles opened against USB driver device objects by low-privileged processes
Correlate crash dumps and Windows Error Reporting events referencing USB driver modules for signs of probing
Baseline normal USB driver interaction patterns and alert on statistical deviations from user-space callers

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable kernel-mode audit logging and forward events to a centralized SIEM for correlation
Track process creation events for unexpected binaries that load or query USB-related kernel interfaces
Review endpoint telemetry for successive failed or malformed IOCTL calls that may indicate exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-69457

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the Microsoft security update referenced in the MSRC advisory as soon as testing permits
Prioritize patching on multi-user systems, shared workstations, and virtual desktop infrastructure where local users are less trusted
Inventory endpoints for unpatched Windows builds and confirm patch deployment through configuration management tooling

Patch Information

Microsoft has released a security update addressing CVE-2026-69457. Administrators should install the update on all affected Windows systems through Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), or Microsoft Update Catalog. Consult the Microsoft Security Update Guide for build-specific patch identifiers and deployment guidance.

Workarounds

Restrict local logon rights to trusted administrators where feasible to reduce the pool of potential attackers
Apply application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized binaries from interacting with kernel drivers
Disable or restrict USB device access on systems that do not require USB functionality using Group Policy

bash

# Verify installation of the Microsoft security update on Windows
Get-HotFix | Sort-Object -Property InstalledOn -Descending | Select-Object -First 20

# Query current Windows build to confirm patch level
[System.Environment]::OSVersion.Version