CVE-2026-40380: Windows Volume Manager Extension Driver Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Overview

Severity

Medium (CVSS 6.2)

CVSS Vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

Category

Remote Code Execution

Exploit Status

Not Exploited

Exploitation Likelihood

Less Likely

Patch Tuesday

2026-May

Released

2026-05-12

Description

Heap-based buffer overflow in Volume Manager Extension Driver allows an authorized attacker to execute code with a physical attack.

FAQ

According to the CVSS metric, privileges required is high (PR:H). What does that mean for this vulnerability? To successfully exploit this vulnerability, an attacker or the targeted user would need to achieve a high level of control over a machine, as the attack requires access to processes typically restricted from average users. Essentially, the exploitation necessitates elevated privileges on the compromised machine due to the requirement of manipulating processes beyond the reach of standard user permissions.

Affected Products (31)

Windows

• Windows 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems
• Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems
• Windows Server 2019
• Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
• Windows Server 2022
• Windows Server 2022 (Server Core installation)
• Windows 10 Version 21H2 for 32-bit Systems
• Windows 10 Version 21H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 10 Version 21H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation)
• Windows 11 Version 25H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 25H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 23H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows Server 2022, 23H2 Edition (Server Core installation)
• Windows 11 Version 24H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows Server 2025
• Windows 11 version 26H1 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 26H1 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems
• Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems
• Windows Server 2016
• Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)

ESU

• Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 10 Version 22H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 10 Version 22H2 for 32-bit Systems
• Windows Server 2012
• Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)
• Windows Server 2012 R2
• Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)

Security Updates (14)

• 5087538
• 5087545
• 5087424
• 5087544
• 5087539
• 5087423
• 5089549
• 5089466
• 5087420
• 5087541
• 5089548
• 5087537
• 5087470
• 5087471

Acknowledgments

Calif.io in collaboration with Claude and Anthropic Research

Revision History

• 2026-05-12: Information published.