📄 Description (English)
Use after free in Microsoft Brokering File System allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2026-25167 is a use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft's Brokering File System affecting Windows 11 (24H2, 25H2, 26H1) and Windows Server 2025, allowing local privilege escalation with CVSS 7.4. While no public exploit is currently available, the vulnerability poses significant risk to Saudi organizations as it enables unauthorized attackers to gain elevated system privileges on affected systems. Immediate patching is critical given the widespread deployment of Windows 11 across Saudi government, banking, and enterprise sectors.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 4, 2026 23:03
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability poses critical risk to Saudi banking sector (SAMA-regulated institutions, major banks using Windows 11 workstations), government agencies (NCA, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense), healthcare organizations (MOH facilities), energy sector (ARAMCO, SEC), and telecommunications (STC, Mobily). The local privilege escalation capability enables attackers to compromise sensitive systems, access classified data, and establish persistent access. Windows Server 2025 impact extends to critical infrastructure and data center environments across Saudi Arabia. Organizations with hybrid cloud deployments and remote work infrastructure are particularly vulnerable.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking & Financial Services
Government & Public Administration
Healthcare
Energy & Utilities
Telecommunications
Defense & Security
Education
Transportation
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
8.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all Windows 11 (24H2, 25H2, 26H1) and Windows Server 2025 systems in your environment using asset management tools
2. Prioritize patching for systems in critical infrastructure, government networks, and financial institutions
3. Apply Microsoft security updates immediately upon availability through Windows Update or WSUS
4. For systems requiring extended uptime, schedule patching during maintenance windows within 72 hours
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Deploy patches via Windows Update, WSUS, or Microsoft Update Catalog
2. Test patches in non-production environments first
3. Verify patch installation using 'Get-HotFix' PowerShell command
4. Monitor system logs for any post-patch anomalies
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if immediate patching not possible):
1. Restrict local administrative access and enforce principle of least privilege
2. Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation attempts
3. Enable Windows Defender Application Guard for file system isolation
4. Monitor and restrict access to Brokering File System components
5. Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions with behavioral analysis
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor Event ID 4688 (Process Creation) for suspicious file system operations
2. Alert on unexpected elevation of privileges or system process spawning
3. Track access to system files and registry keys related to Brokering File System
4. Monitor for abnormal memory access patterns using EDR tools
5. Create YARA rules targeting use-after-free exploitation patterns
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع أنظمة Windows 11 (24H2, 25H2, 26H1) و Windows Server 2025 في بيئتك باستخدام أدوات إدارة الأصول
2. إعطاء الأولوية لتصحيح الأنظمة في البنية التحتية الحرجة والشبكات الحكومية والمؤسسات المالية
3. تطبيق تحديثات أمان Microsoft فوراً عند توفرها عبر Windows Update أو WSUS
4. للأنظمة التي تتطلب وقت تشغيل طويل، جدولة التصحيح خلال نوافذ الصيانة في غضون 72 ساعة
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. نشر التصحيحات عبر Windows Update أو WSUS أو Microsoft Update Catalog
2. اختبار التصحيحات في بيئات غير الإنتاج أولاً
3. التحقق من تثبيت التصحيح باستخدام أمر PowerShell 'Get-HotFix'
4. مراقبة سجلات النظام للكشف عن أي حالات شذوذ بعد التصحيح
الضوابط البديلة (إذا لم يكن التصحيح الفوري ممكناً):
1. تقييد الوصول الإداري المحلي وفرض مبدأ أقل امتياز
2. تنفيذ القائمة البيضاء للتطبيقات لمنع محاولات رفع الامتيازات غير المصرحة
3. تفعيل Windows Defender Application Guard لعزل نظام الملفات
4. مراقبة وتقييد الوصول إلى مكونات نظام Brokering File System
5. تنفيذ حلول الكشف والاستجابة للنقاط النهائية (EDR) مع التحليل السلوكي
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة معرف الحدث 4688 (إنشاء العملية) للعمليات المريبة على نظام الملفات
2. التنبيه على رفع الامتيازات غير المتوقع أو توليد عملية النظام
3. تتبع الوصول إلى ملفات النظام ومفاتيح السجل المتعلقة بـ Brokering File System
4. مراقبة أنماط الوصول إلى الذاكرة غير الطبيعية باستخدام أدوات EDR
5. إنشاء قواعد YARA تستهدف أنماط استغلال use-after-free
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 - 5.1.1 Access Control Policy
ECC 2024 - 5.2.1 User Registration and De-registration
ECC 2024 - 5.3.1 Privilege Management
ECC 2024 - 6.1.1 Audit Logging
ECC 2024 - 6.2.1 Protection of Log Information
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF - Governance & Risk Management (GRM-01: Risk Assessment)
SAMA CSF - Information Security (IS-01: Information Security Policy)
SAMA CSF - Access Control (AC-01: Access Control Policy)
SAMA CSF - System Development & Maintenance (SDM-01: Change Management)
SAMA CSF - Incident Management (IM-01: Incident Response Planning)
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 - A.5.2 Information security policies
ISO 27001:2022 - A.5.3 Organization of information security
ISO 27001:2022 - A.6.1 Screening
ISO 27001:2022 - A.8.1 User endpoint devices
ISO 27001:2022 - A.8.2 Privileged access rights
ISO 27001:2022 - A.8.3 Information access restriction
ISO 27001:2022 - A.12.4 Logging
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 4.0 - Requirement 2: Apply Secure Configurations
PCI DSS 4.0 - Requirement 6: Develop and Maintain Secure Systems
PCI DSS 4.0 - Requirement 7: Restrict Access to Data
PCI DSS 4.0 - Requirement 10: Log and Monitor Access
📦 Affected Products / CPE 7 entries
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_2025