explaingit

orinimron123/cve-2026-40369-exploit

Analysis updated 2026-05-18

32C++Audience · researcherComplexity · 5/5Setup · hard

TLDR

Proof-of-concept exploit and write-up for a Windows kernel vulnerability (CVE-2026-40369) that lets a normal user process write to kernel memory and escalate privileges.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((CVE-2026-40369))
    What it does
      Kernel memory write bug
      Privilege escalation PoC
      Technical write-up
    Tech stack
      C++
      Windows kernel
    Use cases
      Security research
      Vulnerability study
      Defensive patching
    Audience
      Security researchers
      Windows internals experts

Code map

Detail Auto

An interactive map of this repo's files and how they connect — its source is parsed live in your browser. Click Visualize to build it.

filefunction / class

What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Study a real Windows privilege escalation bug for security research or defensive patching.

USE CASE 2

Test whether a Windows 11 24H2 through 25H2 system is vulnerable to this specific kernel write bug.

USE CASE 3

Learn how missing bounds checks in a system information query can be turned into a kernel memory write primitive.

What is it built with?

C++Windows Kernel

How does it compare?

orinimron123/cve-2026-40369-exploitfelixwindisch/lodofgaussiansraphaelhard/auto-2026
Stars323232
LanguageC++C++C++
Setup difficultyhardhardeasy
Complexity5/55/51/5
Audienceresearcherresearchergeneral

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · hard Time to first run · 1h+

Requires a matching vulnerable Windows 11 build and C++ toolchain to compile and run the proof of concept.

In plain English

This repository contains exploit code and a technical write-up for a Windows kernel security vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-40369. The vulnerability exists in a core Windows system component and allows an unprivileged process, meaning one running with normal user permissions and no special access, to write to arbitrary locations in the operating system's kernel memory. The kernel is the most privileged part of the operating system, so the ability to write to it can be used to escalate privileges and take full control of the machine. The write-up explains that the bug exists in how Windows handles a specific type of system information query. When called in a particular way, the code skips a safety check and attempts to increment values at a caller-supplied memory address without validating that the address is safe to write. The repository claims the vulnerability affects Windows 11 versions 24H2 through 25H2, can be triggered from within browser sandboxes, and works with 100 percent reliability. It is written in C++ and is intended for security researchers studying privilege escalation on Windows.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
Explain in plain English what a kernel memory write vulnerability like CVE-2026-40369 lets an attacker do.
Prompt 2
Walk me through why skipping a safety check on a system information query leads to arbitrary kernel writes.
Prompt 3
What Windows versions and configurations does this proof of concept claim to affect, and how would a defender mitigate it?

Frequently asked questions

What is cve-2026-40369-exploit?

Proof-of-concept exploit and write-up for a Windows kernel vulnerability (CVE-2026-40369) that lets a normal user process write to kernel memory and escalate privileges.

What language is cve-2026-40369-exploit written in?

Mainly C++. The stack also includes C++, Windows Kernel.

How hard is cve-2026-40369-exploit to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated hard, with roughly 1h+ to a first successful run.

Who is cve-2026-40369-exploit for?

Mainly researcher.

Open on GitHub → Explain another repo

This repo across BitVibe Labs

Verify against the repo before relying on details.