Microsoft strengthens driver security in Windows

Microsoft has announced changes to the driver trust model in Windows. The system is gradually moving away from trusting drivers signed under the legacy cross-signed root program.

📍 What is changing Previously, drivers could be signed with third-party certificates and still be loaded by the system. Microsoft is now changing the requirements: 🔵trust will remain only for drivers signed through the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP); 🔵legacy signing methods are being phased out of the trusted model; 🔵stricter control is being enforced over kernel-mode driver loading.

❗️Drivers operate at the OS kernel level, so their compromise gives attackers the highest level of privileges. In the past, attackers have actively relied on: 🔵vulnerable drivers, known as Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD); 🔵legitimately signed but compromised drivers; 🔵outdated signing methods to bypass security controls.

⚠️ Why this matters Stricter policies make it harder to use outdated drivers for privilege escalation. Attackers will need to: 🔵find new vulnerable drivers that are signed through WHCP; 🔵rely more heavily on legitimate components; 🔵shift to alternative techniques to bypass kernel protections.

At the same time, the issue is not fully resolved, as attacks leveraging trusted but vulnerable drivers remain possible.

💬 Discuss