CVE-2026-8501
Improper access control in the PCTCore64.sys Windows kernel driver from PC Tools Internet Security allows user-mode processes to access the PCTCoreDriver WDM device interface and invoke privileged IOCTL handlers.
Does this matter?
High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (0.16%). Schedule it in the normal patch cycle and watch for a rise in EPSS or a public exploit.
Description
Improper access control in the PCTCore64.sys Windows kernel driver from PC Tools Internet Security allows user-mode processes to access the PCTCoreDriver WDM device interface and invoke privileged IOCTL handlers. A local attacker with the ability to access or load the affected driver can exploit this vulnerability to perform sensitive and privileged operations on the target system.
- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- EPSS
- 0.16% probability · 6th percentile
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-782
- Source
- cret@cert.org
References
- https://kb.cert.org/vuls/id/158530
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/application-security/application-control/app-control-for-business/design/microsoft-recommended-driver-block-rules
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/secauthz/security-descriptor-definition-language
- https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/158530
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA. Refreshed daily.