Windows 11 Version 24H2: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2026-54996 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Windows 11 Version 24H2 from Microsoft, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.0 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists version 10.0.26100.8875 as the first without the flaw, so updating Windows 11 Version 24H2 to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.2% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Windows 11 Version 24H2 to 10.0.26100.8875 or a later version.
- Update Windows 11 Version 25H2 to 10.0.26200.8875 or a later version.
- Update Windows 11 version 26H1 to 10.0.28000.2525 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on msrc.microsoft.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Windows 11 Version 24H2 | 10.0.26100.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26100.8875 | 10.0.26100.8875 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 Version 25H2 | 10.0.26200.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26200.8875 | 10.0.26200.8875 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 version 26H1 | 10.0.28000.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.28000.2525 | 10.0.28000.2525 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2025 | 10.0.26100.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26100.33158 | 10.0.26100.33158 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) | 10.0.26100.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26100.33158 | 10.0.26100.33158 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 24h2 | before 10.0.26100.8875 | 10.0.26100.8875 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 25h2 | before 10.0.26200.8875 | 10.0.26200.8875 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 26h1 | before 10.0.28000.2525 | 10.0.28000.2525 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (microsoft.com).
Official description
Concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization ('race condition') in Windows USB Print Driver allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Out-of-bounds Read
The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language that provides appropriate memory abstractions.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 8.6 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
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