Microsoft Windows NTFS: Elevation of privilege via use-after-free
Summary
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Windows NTFS file system driver allows an authorized local user with low privileges to elevate their privileges, potentially to SYSTEM. Exploitation requires local access and a valid user account, and the attack complexity is high. Microsoft rates the flaw as Important (CVSS 3.1 base score 7.0), and no public exploit is known.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1809 and Windows Server 2019 (including Server Core): builds below 10.0.17763.9376
- Windows 10 Version 21H2: builds below 10.0.19044.7807
- Windows 10 Version 22H2: builds below 10.0.19045.7807
- Windows 11 Version 23H2: builds below 10.0.22631.7652
- Windows 11 Version 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2: builds below 10.0.26100.9711, 10.0.26200.9711 and 10.0.26300.9711
- Windows 11 Version 26H1: builds below 10.0.28000.3231
- Windows Server 2022: builds below 10.0.20348.5761
- Windows Server 2025 (including Server Core): builds below 10.0.26100.33650
Fixed in
- Windows 10 Version 1809 and Windows Server 2019: 10.0.17763.9376 or later
- Windows 10 Version 21H2: 10.0.19044.7807 or later
- Windows 10 Version 22H2: 10.0.19045.7807 or later
- Windows 11 Version 23H2: 10.0.22631.7652 or later
- Windows 11 Version 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2: 10.0.26100.9711, 10.0.26200.9711 and 10.0.26300.9711 or later
- Windows 11 Version 26H1: 10.0.28000.3231 or later
- Windows Server 2022: 10.0.20348.5761 or later
- Windows Server 2025: 10.0.26100.33650 or later
Workaround
Unknown.
- No vendor workaround was found. Install the applicable Windows security updates.
Exploitation
- Microsoft lists the vulnerability as not publicly disclosed and not exploited.
- Microsoft's exploit maturity rating is Unproven.
- No public proof of concept and no CISA KEV entry were found in the research. This is not a complete check.
Our recommendation
- Inventory Windows 10 and Windows 11 clients and Windows Server systems and confirm their build numbers and support status.
- Install the October 2026 cumulative update in the regular monthly patch cycle.
- Prioritize terminal servers, file servers and multi-user systems.
- Restrict local accounts and monitor for unexpected privilege escalation.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday October 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Elevation of privilege – Windows NTFS
- Status on Patch Tuesday
- Neither exploited nor publicly disclosed
- Exploitability assessment
- Exploitation less likely
- Product family
- Windows, Windows ESU (Extended Security Updates)
- Updates (KB)
- KB5127648, KB5126651, KB5126655, KB5126657, KB5126646, KB5126653
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-69915 msrc.microsoft.com
- Vulners NVD mirror: CVE-2026-69915 vulners.com
- Vulners CVE list: CVE-2026-69915 vulners.com
- OpenCVE: CVE-2026-69915 app.opencve.io
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 4 Nov 2026, 09:31.
Original description (NVD)
Use after free in Windows NTFS allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
NVD references (1)
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
Affected? We can help.
We check whether your systems are affected, install updates and close the gap – continuously with the System Health Checker if you wish.