What does BSOD 0xFC (ATTEMPTED_EXECUTE_OF_NOEXECUTE_MEMORY) mean?

 
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RECURSIVE_MACHINE_CHECK DIRTY_NOWRITE_PAGES_CONGESTION

ATTEMPTED_EXECUTE_OF_NOEXECUTE_MEMORY

NX/DEP execute-permission violation for ATTEMPTED_EXECUTE_OF_NOEXECUTE_MEMORY

ATTEMPTED_EXECUTE_OF_NOEXECUTE_MEMORY is bug check code 0x000000FC.

This bug check means control flow reached a virtual address that the memory manager does not allow to execute. Typical causes include corrupted function pointers, use-after-free, code injection attempts, bad driver trampolines, or memory marked with the wrong permissions.

How to read it in a dump

  • Decode the faulting instruction pointer and PTE or VAD state if available.
  • The stack may be corrupted because control flow has already gone through bad memory.
  • This is stronger evidence than a generic access violation because execute permission specifically failed.

What to check

  • Use WinDbg to inspect the faulting address, pool tag, call stack, and loaded module list.
  • Enable Driver Verifier, Special Pool, and code-integrity checks for suspect drivers.
  • Review any driver that writes executable stubs, hooks functions, or misuses MDLs and page protections.

References


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