📄 Description (English)
Use after free in Windows DWM Core Library allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2026-25189 is a use-after-free vulnerability in Windows DWM Core Library affecting Windows 10 and Server 2019/2022, allowing authorized local attackers to escalate privileges with a CVSS score of 7.8. While no public exploit is currently available, the vulnerability requires local access and valid credentials, making it a significant risk for multi-user systems and shared infrastructure. Immediate patching is critical for Saudi organizations managing Windows-based infrastructure, particularly in government and banking sectors where privilege escalation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive systems.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 29, 2026 07:03
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability poses significant risk to Saudi banking sector (SAMA-regulated institutions), government agencies (NCA oversight), and critical infrastructure operators. Windows Server 2019/2022 deployments in data centers supporting ARAMCO, STC, and other critical sectors are particularly vulnerable. The privilege escalation capability could enable lateral movement within enterprise networks, compromising sensitive financial data, government records, and operational technology systems. Organizations with shared workstations or terminal server environments face elevated risk of insider threats and unauthorized system access.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking and Financial Services
Government and Public Administration
Energy and Utilities
Telecommunications
Healthcare
Critical Infrastructure
Defense and Security
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1548 - Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism
T1548.004 - Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism: Elevated Execution with Prompt
T1134 - Access Token Manipulation
T1547 - Boot or Logon Autostart Execution
T1547.001 - Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder
T1547.014 - Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Active Setup
T1543 - Create or Modify System Process
T1574 - Hijack Execution Flow
T1574.012 - Hijack Execution Flow: COR_PROFILER
T1566 - Phishing
T1204 - User Execution
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
7.8
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all Windows 10 (versions 1809, 21H2, 22H2) and Windows Server 2019/2022 systems in your environment
2. Prioritize patching for systems with multiple user accounts or remote access capabilities
3. Implement access controls restricting local logon to authorized personnel only
4. Monitor for suspicious privilege escalation attempts in Windows Event Viewer (Event ID 4688, 4689)
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Apply latest Windows security updates from Microsoft immediately upon availability
2. Test patches in non-production environment before enterprise deployment
3. Schedule patching during maintenance windows to minimize business disruption
4. Verify patch installation using 'Get-HotFix' PowerShell command
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if patch unavailable):
1. Restrict local interactive logon privileges using Group Policy (Deny log on locally)
2. Disable unnecessary services and disable DWM if not required for business operations
3. Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation tools
4. Enable Windows Defender Application Guard for isolated execution environments
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor Windows Event Log for Event ID 4672 (Special privileges assigned to new logon)
2. Alert on unexpected process creation with elevated privileges from DWM-related processes
3. Track modifications to HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services registry keys
4. Monitor for abnormal DWM.exe behavior using EDR/XDR solutions
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع أنظمة Windows 10 (الإصدارات 1809 و 21H2 و 22H2) و Windows Server 2019/2022 في بيئتك
2. إعطاء الأولوية لتصحيح الأنظمة التي تحتوي على حسابات مستخدمين متعددة أو إمكانيات الوصول عن بعد
3. تنفيذ عناصر التحكم في الوصول التي تقيد تسجيل الدخول المحلي للموظفين المصرحين فقط
4. مراقبة محاولات تصعيد الامتيازات المريبة في Windows Event Viewer (معرف الحدث 4688 و 4689)
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. تطبيق أحدث تحديثات أمان Windows من Microsoft فور توفرها
2. اختبار التصحيحات في بيئة غير الإنتاج قبل نشر المؤسسة
3. جدولة التصحيح أثناء نوافذ الصيانة لتقليل انقطاع الأعمال
4. التحقق من تثبيت التصحيح باستخدام أمر PowerShell 'Get-HotFix'
عناصر التحكم البديلة (إذا لم يكن التصحيح متاحًا):
1. تقييد امتيازات تسجيل الدخول التفاعلي المحلي باستخدام Group Policy
2. تعطيل الخدمات غير الضرورية وتعطيل DWM إذا لم تكن مطلوبة لعمليات الأعمال
3. تنفيذ القائمة البيضاء للتطبيقات لمنع أدوات تصعيد الامتيازات غير المصرح بها
4. تفعيل Windows Defender Application Guard للبيئات المنفصلة
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة سجل أحداث Windows لمعرف الحدث 4672 (امتيازات خاصة مخصصة لتسجيل دخول جديد)
2. التنبيه على إنشاء عملية غير متوقعة بامتيازات مرتفعة من العمليات المتعلقة بـ DWM
3. تتبع التعديلات على مفاتيح سجل HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services
4. مراقبة سلوك DWM.exe غير الطبيعي باستخدام حلول EDR/XDR
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.5.1.1 - Information security policies and procedures
A.5.2.1 - User registration and de-registration
A.5.2.2 - User access provisioning
A.5.2.3 - Management of privileged access rights
A.5.2.4 - Review of user access rights
A.8.1.1 - User endpoint devices
A.8.2.1 - Privileged access rights
A.8.2.2 - Restriction of access to information
A.8.2.3 - Password management
A.8.3.1 - Encryption and key management
🔵 SAMA CSF
Governance & Risk Management - System and Information Integrity
Protective Security - Access Control and Authentication
Protective Security - Vulnerability Management
Protective Security - Patch Management
Operational Resilience - Incident Response
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.5.1.1 - Policies for information security
A.5.2.1 - Information security responsibilities
A.5.2.2 - Information security in supplier relationships
A.6.1.1 - Screening
A.6.2.1 - Prior to employment
A.8.1.1 - User endpoint devices
A.8.2.1 - Privileged access rights
A.8.2.2 - Restriction of access to information
A.8.3.1 - Encryption and key management
A.8.3.2 - Cryptography
A.8.3.3 - Separation of duties
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
Requirement 2.1 - Default security parameters
Requirement 6.2 - Security patches and updates
Requirement 7.1 - Limit access to system components
Requirement 7.2 - Establish access for users
Requirement 8.1 - Assign unique ID to each user
Requirement 8.2 - Ensure proper user authentication
📦 Affected Products / CPE 10 entries
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_server_2019
microsoft:windows_server_2022