CVE-2025-54916

7.8

Microsoft · Windows

A stack-based buffer overflow in the Windows NTFS driver allows a locally authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

Executive summary

A critical stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the Windows NTFS driver enables local code execution, posing a significant risk of full system compromise.

Vulnerability

This is a stack-based buffer overflow (CWE-121) within the NTFS filesystem driver. An attacker who has already obtained low-level local access can trigger this flaw to execute code, as the vulnerability requires local authentication (PR:L).

Business impact

Successful exploitation allows an attacker to gain full control over the local operating system. Because this affects the kernel-level NTFS driver, the impact includes total confidentiality, integrity, and availability loss. With a CVSS score of 7.8, this high-severity flaw represents a severe risk to organizational endpoints, potentially facilitating lateral movement or persistent system compromise.

Remediation

Immediate Action: Apply the September 2025 security updates provided by Microsoft via the official update guide. Ensure all endpoints are patched to the build versions listed above to remediate the vulnerability at the driver level.

Proactive Monitoring: Monitor system logs for unusual crash reports related to the NTFS driver or unexpected process execution patterns originating from low-privilege service accounts.

Compensating Controls: Implement strict endpoint access controls to limit the number of users with local login capabilities, thereby reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries.

Exploitation status

Public Exploit Available: No

Analyst recommendation

Given the potential for total system compromise, organizations should prioritize the deployment of the September 2025 security patches across all affected Windows environments. Administrators must ensure that the specific build versions provided by Microsoft are verified post-installation to confirm successful mitigation of the NTFS driver vulnerability.

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