Do not do it. Most people will not try to browse to Windows 10 root folders, but just in case someone is digging through the guts of your PC software, it is best to avoid entering this file path in your browser: globalroot device condrv kernelconnect ”. Not only will it instantly crash your PC, it will also feature the dreaded blue screen of death (BSOD), from which your PC may not be able to recover. Do not do it!
According Tom’s Guide, the bug was recently discovered by the Windows security researcher Jonas Lykkegaard, who tweeted about the problem intermittently since October 2020. Lykkegaard explained that when the above path is opened in Windows 10, regardless of whether the user has administrative privileges or not, the system cannot check for errors when trying to connect to the path, resulting in a BSOD crash.
Aside from developers, there is little reason for an average Windows 10 user to want to rummage through root folders, especially at the kernel level; the Windows kernel is a crucial program that allows the operating system to function, controlling daily processes, such as the execution of drivers and the starting and ending of programs. It is what connects the user to the hardware. But it is still important to be aware that this bug exists.
Although Gizmodo did not test the link on its own (due to the caution that it could kill one of our few test PCs), Tom’s Guide and BleepingComputer sacrificed a PC for the cause. The PC used by Tom’s Guide got stuck in an Auto Repair startup loop. BleepingComputer didn’t say if your PC came out alive, but confirmed this bug is present in Windows 10 version 1709 and later.
The bug can also give hackers a way to carry out denial of service (DoS) attacks, which can shut down a computer or network, making it completely inaccessible to users. But in this case, a hacker may not need to flood the system with repeated requests, as would normally happen in a DoS attack – entering the above file path may be sufficient.
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Lykkegaard explained that a hacker can easily trick someone into downloading or clicking on a Windows URL (.url) file that would automatically take them to the problematic path and subsequently lock their PC.
A Microsoft spokesman told BleepingComputer “Microsoft has a commitment to the customer to investigate reported security issues and we will provide updates to the affected devices as soon as possible.” Therefore, it appears that Microsoft knows about the problem and is working to fix it, but does not have a timetable for when a patch will be implemented for users of Windows 10 version 1709 or higher. In the meantime, don’t try to navigate to the file path and definitely be on the lookout for suspicious links and files that may appear in your inbox or elsewhere on the Internet.