SYSTEM code execution via null registry security descriptor
Published Mar 12, 2024 · Updated Oct 21, 2025
Improper privilege management in Microsoft Windows Error Reporting allows local users to execute code with SYSTEM privileges. werkernel.sys creates registry keys with a null security descriptor, letting the current user own a WerFault.exe Image File Execution Options subkey and set its Debugger value. Local low-privileged access is required; triggering error reporting then launches the chosen executable as SYSTEM.
Summary
What happened
Improper privilege management in Microsoft Windows Error Reporting allows local users to execute code with SYSTEM privileges. werkernel.sys creates registry keys with a null security descriptor, letting the current user own a WerFault.exe Image File Execution Options subkey and set its Debugger value. Local low-privileged access is required; triggering error reporting then launches the chosen executable as SYSTEM.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2024-26169
- Published
- Mar 12, 2024
- Updated
- Oct 21, 2025
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Windows 10 Version 1507
- Classifications
- CWE-269, T1546.012, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Mar 12, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Oct 21, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
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- Affected versionversion=10.0.10240.0 <10.0.10240.20526
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Reported exploitation
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities entryknown exploited catalog
- Black Basta-associated exploit deploymentransomware
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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