Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Windows local privilege escalation flaw in the Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock. An attacker who already has authorized local access could gain higher privileges on affected Windows systems. Microsoft lists a patch. The business risk is highest on shared workstations, terminal servers, and systems where compromise of a low-privilege account could lead to broader control.
Executive priority
Treat this as a standard high-priority Windows patching item. It is not reported as actively exploited in the provided sources, but it can increase the impact of any account or endpoint compromise. Prioritize systems where many users log in or where elevated access would affect critical operations.
Technical view
CVE-2026-25176 is CWE-284 improper access control in Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock. Microsoft rates it high, CVSS 7.8, with local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. Affected entries include multiple Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server versions.
Likely exposure
Organizations running listed Windows 10, Windows 11, or Windows Server versions may be exposed until the applicable Microsoft update is applied. Exposure requires an attacker to already have local authorized access, so it is not described as a remote unauthenticated entry point.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates exploitation is local, low complexity, and requires low privileges, with no user interaction. This makes it useful for attackers after initial access, but not a standalone internet-facing compromise path.
Researcher notes
The source bundle identifies the vulnerable component and CVSS characteristics but does not include root-cause detail, exploit indicators, or proof-of-concept status. Avoid assuming exploit availability. Use MSRC as the authoritative source for fixed builds, KBs, and any later exploitation or mitigation updates.
Mitigation direction
- Apply the Microsoft security update referenced in the MSRC advisory.
- Prioritize shared endpoints, terminal servers, and high-value Windows servers.
- Check Microsoft guidance for product-specific updates and servicing requirements.
- Ensure endpoint protection and least-privilege controls reduce local attacker opportunity.
Validation and detection
- Inventory systems matching the affected Windows client and server versions.
- Confirm relevant Microsoft security updates are installed successfully.
- Review vulnerability scanner results after Microsoft detection content updates.
- Monitor Microsoft’s advisory for revisions, supersedence, or additional guidance.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-284: Authorization and privilege behavior lookup
Authorization weaknesses can support privilege escalation and valid-account review, depending on exploit path. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupPrivilege behavior lookup
The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2026-25176 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock Elevation of Privilege VulnerabilityCVE reference · vendor-advisory, patch
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Access Control
Improper Access Control represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.