# CVE-2026-57851: MSI KernCoreLib64.sys Privilege Escalation via IOCTL Handlers

> Local attackers can escalate privileges to kernel level via exposed IOCTL handlers in the MSI KernCoreLib64.sys driver, enabling arbitrary memory access and security bypass.

- **Severity:** High 8.5 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 7 Jul 2026
- **Updated:** 24 Sep 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-9cv5-2h9v-98p5

## What is CVE-2026-57851?

CVE-2026-57851 is a high-severity vulnerability in Micro-Star International (MSI) KernCoreLib64.sys, published on 7 Jul 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official 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.

Weakness: CWE-782 (Exposed IOCTL with Insufficient Access Control)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-57851?


## How do I fix CVE-2026-57851?

No fix has been published for CVE-2026-57851 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2026-57851 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-57851 exists.

Public exploit code:

- CVE-2026-57851 (github_poc): https://github.com/readmsr/MSI_FeatureManager_CVE

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-57851 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-57851 is a high-severity vulnerability in Micro-Star International (MSI) KernCoreLib64.sys, published on 7 Jul 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-57851 exists.

Affected product: Micro-Star International (MSI) KernCoreLib64.sys. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-57851/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-57851/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-57851
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-57851
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-57851

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-57851/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.