CVE-2021-38304

HIGH

NI-PAL <20.0.0 - Privilege Escalation

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2021-38304. PoCs published by philsajdak.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This repository contains a functional proof-of-concept exploit for CVE-2021-38304, targeting a vulnerability in the National Instruments `nipalk.sys` driver. The exploit demonstrates arbitrary code execution and memory disclosure by leveraging improper validation of user-supplied function pointers during IOCTL processing.

Description

Improper input validation in the National Instruments NI-PAL driver in versions 20.0.0 and prior may allow a privileged user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.

Exploits (1)

nomisec WORKING POC
by philsajdak · poc
https://github.com/philsajdak/CVE-2021-38304-PoC

This repository contains a functional proof-of-concept exploit for CVE-2021-38304, targeting a vulnerability in the National Instruments `nipalk.sys` driver. The exploit demonstrates arbitrary code execution and memory disclosure by leveraging improper validation of user-supplied function pointers during IOCTL processing.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: National Instruments nipalk.sys driver (older versions)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a system with the vulnerable `nipalk.sys` driver loaded
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 18, 2026 Full analysis →

References (1)

Core 1
Core References

Scores

CVSS v3 7.8
EPSS 0.0043
EPSS Percentile 34.1%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Details

CWE
CWE-20
Status published
Products (1)
ni/ni-pal < 20.0.0
Published Sep 17, 2021
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026