smss.exe debugging subsystem in Windows NT and Windows 2000 does not properly authenticate programs that connect to other programs, which allows local users to gain administrator or SYSTEM privileges by duplicating a handle to a privileged process, as demonstrated by DebPloit.
smss.exe debugging subsystem in Windows NT and Windows 2000 does not properly authenticate programs that connect to other programs, which allows local users to gain administrator or SYSTEM privileges by duplicating a handle to a privileged process, as demonstrated by DebPloit.
Why this VPI (explainable, experimental)
VPI breakdown
| Impact | 78.00 |
| Exploitation signal(KEV listed) | ×1.50 |
| VPI | 100.00 |
VPI formula vpi-v1
Required Action
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
| Source | CVSS Version | Base Score | Severity | Vector String | Assessment Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVDNIST | 3.1 | 7.8 | HIGH | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H | 04/20/2026 |
| NVDNIST | 2.0 | 7.2 |
| AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C |
| 04/20/2026 |