CVE-2026-8501 CVE-2026-8501
Local attackers can exploit improper access control in the PC Tools Internet Security kernel driver to perform privileged operations and escalate privileges.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-8501?
CVE-2026-8501 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in Symantec PC Tools Internet Security, published on 1 Jun 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official 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.
Weakness: CWE-782
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-8501?
How do I fix CVE-2026-8501?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-8501 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and check permissions on every request on the server, not only in the interface. More about Missing authorization.
Is CVE-2026-8501 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-8501 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-x42p-q354-px3c.