MSI KernCoreLib64.sys Privilege Escalation via IOCTL Handlers (CVE-2026-57851) | HOL Guard CVE

High · CVSS 8.5CVE-2026-57851

MSI KernCoreLib64.sys Privilege Escalation via IOCTL Handlers

Answer in brief

CVE-2026-57851 records a High severity (CVSS 8.5) vulnerability in MSI KernCoreLib64.sys Privilege Escalation via IOCTL Handlers. The current sources do not mark it as known exploited. The current feed maps Micro-Star International (MSI)/KernCoreLib64.sys (generic). Check affected ranges and fixed versions before updating.

Analysis pending evidence review

HOL Guard separates source facts from reviewed analysis. See the methodology.

Published Jul 7, 2026Updated Sep 24, 2026Source checked Sep 24, 2026First seen by HOL Jul 7, 2026Material review Sep 24, 2026

Upstream Advisory

Key facts

Risk: High · CVSS 8.5
Exploitation: Not marked as known exploited
Affected software: 1 mapped package or product
Fix availability: Not reported

Why this deserves its current priority

CVSS is 8.5. The current sources do not mark it as known exploited. Treat this as a source-backed prioritization signal, not a statement about your environment.

Analysis status

Analysis pending evidence review

Factual feed record only; HOL analysis is not approved for indexing. Read the methodology.

Affected scope and exposure questions

The current feed maps Micro-Star International (MSI)/KernCoreLib64.sys (generic). Check affected ranges and fixed versions before updating.

Mapped affected packages and fixed versions
Package	Affected range	Fixed version
Micro-Star International (MSI)/KernCoreLib64.sysgeneric	*	Not reported

Recommended response

Check inventory. Check lockfiles and deployed manifests for Micro-Star International (MSI)/KernCoreLib64.sys.
Review the reported fix. Monitor this advisory for an available fix and review any installs of the affected package.

Evidence timeline and material changes

Published upstream
Jul 7, 2026
Evidence: source:cvelist:source_dates:source-dates:record
Source modified
Sep 24, 2026
Evidence: source:cvelist:source_dates:source-dates:record
First seen by HOL
Jul 7, 2026

Sources and claim methodology

Upstream source description

MSI Feature Manager contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability in the KernCoreLib64.sys kernel driver that allows any locally logged-on user to perform arbitrary physical memory read/write and unrestricted I/O port operations by accessing exposed IOCTL handlers without administrator privileges. Attackers can exploit the accessible device object through IOCTL handlers to manipulate kernel objects, tamper with kernel-mode callbacks, bypass Protected Process Light protections, and disable security software.

Quoted source text, attributed separately from HOL analysis.