ThrottleStop.sys, a legitimate driver, exposes two IOCTL interfaces that allow arbitrary read and write access to physical memory via the MmMapIoSpace function. This insecure implementation can be exploited by a malicious user-mode application to patch the running Windows kernel and invoke arbitrary kernel functions with ring-0 privileges. The vulnerability enables local attackers to execute arbitrary code in kernel context, resulting in privilege escalation and potential follow-on attacks, such as disabling security software or bypassing kernel-level protections. ThrottleStop.sys version 3.0.0.0 and possibly others are affected. Apply updates per vendor instructions.
https://securelist.com/av-killer-exploiting-throttlestop-sys/117026/
https://www.techpowerup.com/download/techpowerup-throttlestop/
https://github.com/klsecservices/Advisories/blob/master/K-TechPowerUp-2025-001.md
Published: 2025-08-06
Updated: 2025-08-06
Base Score: 7.2
Vector: CVSS2#AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
Severity: High
Base Score: 7.8
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Severity: High
Base Score: 8.7
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H
Severity: High
EPSS: 0.00013