cpu exhaustion

CPU exhaustion refers to a condition where a system's processor is driven to 100% utilization, often due to a software bug or vulnerability. On WindowsForum.com, discussions about CPU exhaustion include security vulnerabilities such as CVE-2026-27171, which affects zlib versions prior to 1.3.2. This flaw involves a logic error in CRC combination functions that can cause unbounded CPU consumption due to a non-terminating loop. The fix in zlib 1.3.2 adds checks for negative lengths to prevent the issue. Users may encounter CPU exhaustion from software bugs, driver issues, or malware, and troubleshooting often involves identifying the offending process via Task Manager or Resource Monitor.