📄 Description (English)
Null pointer dereference in Windows Performance Counters allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2026-25165 is a null pointer dereference vulnerability in Windows Performance Counters affecting multiple Windows 10 versions, allowing authorized local attackers to elevate privileges. With a CVSS score of 7.8 and no public exploit currently available, this represents a significant but manageable risk. Immediate patching is recommended for all affected Windows 10 systems, particularly those in critical infrastructure and government environments across Saudi Arabia.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 29, 2026 04:56
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability poses significant risk to Saudi government entities (NCA, GOSI, MOI), banking sector (SAMA-regulated institutions, major banks), healthcare organizations (MOH facilities), energy sector (ARAMCO, SEC), and telecommunications providers (STC, Mobily). The privilege escalation capability is particularly concerning for organizations running legacy Windows 10 versions (1607, 1809) which may still be prevalent in Saudi government and critical infrastructure. Organizations with inadequate endpoint security controls and those relying on Windows Performance Counters for monitoring are at elevated risk.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government
Banking
Healthcare
Energy
Telecommunications
Critical Infrastructure
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
7.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Inventory all Windows 10 systems across affected versions (1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2) using SCCM, Intune, or similar tools
2. Prioritize patching for systems in critical infrastructure, government, banking, and healthcare sectors
3. Apply Microsoft security updates immediately upon availability
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Deploy Windows updates through WSUS or Windows Update for Business
2. Test patches in non-production environments first
3. Implement phased rollout starting with critical systems
4. Verify patch installation using Get-HotFix PowerShell command
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if immediate patching delayed):
1. Restrict local administrative access and implement principle of least privilege
2. Disable Windows Performance Counters if not operationally required
3. Monitor and audit access to Performance Counter APIs using Windows Event Viewer (Event ID 4688)
4. Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation attempts
5. Enable Windows Defender Exploit Guard and Attack Surface Reduction rules
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor for suspicious calls to perflib.dll and pdh.dll
2. Alert on failed Performance Counter access attempts from non-admin accounts
3. Track process creation with elevated privileges from Performance Counter-related processes
4. Monitor registry modifications to HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\PerfOS
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. حصر جميع أنظمة Windows 10 في الإصدارات المتأثرة (1607، 1809، 21H2، 22H2) باستخدام SCCM أو Intune
2. إعطاء الأولوية لتصحيح الأنظمة في البنية التحتية الحرجة والحكومة والبنوك والرعاية الصحية
3. تطبيق تحديثات أمان Microsoft فور توفرها
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. نشر تحديثات Windows عبر WSUS أو Windows Update for Business
2. اختبار التصحيحات في بيئات غير الإنتاج أولاً
3. تنفيذ طرح متدرج بدءًا من الأنظمة الحرجة
4. التحقق من تثبيت التصحيح باستخدام أمر PowerShell Get-HotFix
الضوابط البديلة (إذا تأخر التصحيح الفوري):
1. تقييد الوصول الإداري المحلي وتطبيق مبدأ أقل امتياز
2. تعطيل مؤشرات أداء Windows إذا لم تكن مطلوبة تشغيليًا
3. مراقبة وتدقيق الوصول إلى واجهات برمجة تطبيقات Performance Counter باستخدام Windows Event Viewer
4. تنفيذ القائمة البيضاء للتطبيقات لمنع محاولات رفع الامتيازات غير المصرح بها
5. تفعيل Windows Defender Exploit Guard وقواعد تقليل سطح الهجوم
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة الاستدعاءات المريبة إلى perflib.dll و pdh.dll
2. التنبيه على محاولات الوصول الفاشلة إلى Performance Counter من حسابات غير إدارية
3. تتبع إنشاء العمليات برفع الامتيازات من العمليات المتعلقة بـ Performance Counter
4. مراقبة تعديلات السجل إلى HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\PerfOS
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.5.1.1 - Information Security Policies
A.8.1.1 - User Access Management
A.12.2.1 - Change Management
A.12.6.1 - Management of Technical Vulnerabilities
🔵 SAMA CSF
ID.AM-2 - Asset Management
PR.AC-1 - Access Control
PR.PT-2 - Protective Technology
DE.CM-8 - Vulnerability Scans
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.5.1.2 - Information Security Policy Implementation
A.8.1.4 - Access Control Review
A.12.2.1 - Change Management Procedures
A.12.6.1 - Management of Technical Vulnerabilities
A.14.2.1 - Secure Development Policy
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
Requirement 2.2 - Configuration Standards
Requirement 6.2 - Security Patches
Requirement 11.2 - Vulnerability Scanning
📦 Affected Products / CPE 25 entries
microsoft:windows_10_1607
microsoft:windows_10_1607
microsoft:windows_10_1809
microsoft:windows_10_1809
microsoft:windows_10_21h2
microsoft:windows_10_21h2
microsoft:windows_10_21h2
microsoft:windows_10_22h2
microsoft:windows_10_22h2
microsoft:windows_10_22h2
microsoft:windows_11_23h2
microsoft:windows_11_23h2
microsoft:windows_11_24h2
microsoft:windows_11_24h2
microsoft:windows_11_25h2
microsoft:windows_11_25h2
microsoft:windows_11_26h1
microsoft:windows_11_26h1
microsoft:windows_server_2012:-
microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2
microsoft:windows_server_2016
microsoft:windows_server_2019
microsoft:windows_server_2022
microsoft:windows_server_2022_23h2
microsoft:windows_server_2025