High

Untrusted Search Path RCE in Windows GDI

IdentifiersCVE-2026-25190CWE-426· Untrusted Search Path

CVE-2026-25190 is a Windows GDI remote code execution vulnerability caused by an untrusted search path condition. According to the provided content, Windows GDI improperly resolves or loads resources from an attacker-influenced path, allowing local code execution by an unauthorized attacker. The issue is classified by Microsoft as a GDI remote code execution vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 and exploitation assessed as less likely. The supporting content also notes that this flaw may be chainable with CVE-2026-25181, a Windows GDI+ information disclosure vulnerability, to bypass a Windows security feature and achieve more reliable arbitrary code execution, although such chaining would require high precision and attacker sophistication.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code locally in the context of the affected process or user session. In practical terms, this can provide a foothold on the system for post-exploitation activity, including running attacker-controlled programs, accessing local data available to that context, and potentially using the gained execution to pursue further privilege escalation or persistence. The content further indicates that, when chained with CVE-2026-25181, the vulnerability may help bypass a Windows security feature and improve the reliability of arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

If immediate patching is not possible, reduce opportunities for local exploitation by limiting untrusted code execution on endpoints, restricting user ability to place attacker-controlled files in locations that may be searched by vulnerable components, and enforcing application control policies. Because the content specifically describes a local untrusted search path issue and notes possible chaining with CVE-2026-25181, defenders should also prioritize patching both issues together where applicable. No more specific vendor mitigation is provided in the supplied content.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply the Microsoft security update that addresses CVE-2026-25190 as part of the March 2026 Patch Tuesday release. Because the provided content identifies this as a Windows GDI vulnerability fixed by Microsoft, remediation is to deploy the relevant Windows security patches across affected systems through normal testing and patch deployment processes.

PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

No public exploits tracked yet. Mallory keeps watching.

VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType

Microsoft CorporationWindowsoperating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows 10 1607operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows 10 1809operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows 10 21h2operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows 10 22h2operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows 11 23h2operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows 11 24h2operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows 11 25h2operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows 11 26h1operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2012operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2012 R2operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2016operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2019operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2022operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2022 23h2operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2025operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 23h2operating_system

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

ACTIVITY FEED

Recent activity

2 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.

2 SOURCESView more in app

dark readingNews

Mar 11, 2026

Microsoft Patches 83 CVEs in March Update

A Windows GDI remote code execution vulnerability that, when chained with CVE-2026-25181, could enable bypass of a Windows security feature and arbitrary code execution (described as requiring high precision).

What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

This page is what’s public. Mallory adds the parts that aren’t: which of your assets are affected, which adversaries are exploiting it right now, which detections to deploy, and what to do tonight.

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Exposure mapping

Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.

Threat actor evidence

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity1

Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.

EXTERNAL REFERENCES

MITRE CVE

cve.org · CVE-2026-25190

NVD

nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-25190

MITRE CWE · CWE-426

Untrusted Search Path

Vendor Advisory

msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-25190