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Microsoft Windows Kernel: Privilege escalation via untrusted pointer dereference

CVE-2026-70111High 8.1

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Summary

The Windows kernel contains an untrusted pointer dereference (CWE-822) that can be triggered over the network. According to the official CVE record, an unauthenticated attacker can use it to elevate privileges. Attack complexity is high and no user interaction is needed. Third-party researchers describe the flaw differently (a denial of service in the DFS path), and this conflict is not yet resolved, so verify against MSRC.

Affected

  • Windows 10 Version 1607 and Windows Server 2016: 10.0.14393.x below 10.0.14393.9612
  • Windows 10 Version 1809 and Windows Server 2019: 10.0.17763.x below 10.0.17763.9376
  • Windows 10 Version 21H2: 10.0.19044.x below 10.0.19044.7807
  • Windows 10 Version 22H2: 10.0.19045.x below 10.0.19045.7807
  • Windows 11 Version 23H2: 10.0.22631.x below 10.0.22631.7652
  • Windows 11 Version 24H2: 10.0.26100.x below 10.0.26100.9711
  • Windows 11 Version 25H2 and 26H2: 10.0.26200.x and 10.0.26300.x below 10.0.26200.9711 and 10.0.26300.9711
  • Windows 11 Version 26H1: 10.0.28000.x below 10.0.28000.3231
  • Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 (including Server Core): 6.2.9200.x below 6.2.9200.26434 and 6.3.9600.x below 6.3.9600.23470

Fixed in

  • Install the October 2026 security update from Microsoft (released 13 October 2026) for your Windows version.
  • Fixed builds: the affected ranges above end at these builds; confirm the exact fixed builds in the MSRC Security Update Guide, as aggregator data is inconsistent.

Workaround

  • No vendor-documented workaround. Unknown.
  • Third-party guidance: block or restrict network traffic that could exploit the flaw until the patch is applied.

Exploitation

  • Not listed in CISA KEV.
  • CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
  • No evidence of exploitation or public proof-of-concept found at the time of research.
  • EPSS about 0.7% to 1%.

Our recommendation

  • Apply the October 2026 cumulative update to all Windows servers and clients, starting with domain controllers, DFS servers, and systems on Windows 10 1607 or Server 2016.
  • Confirm the fixed build in the MSRC table.
  • Restrict SMB, RPC and DFS-related traffic between network segments and block it at the perimeter.
  • Check the Microsoft lifecycle status of Windows 10 1607 and plan an upgrade if it is out of support.
  • Monitor MSRC and NVD for changes to the impact description.

Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday October 2026)

Severity (Microsoft)
Important
Impact
Elevation of privilege – Windows Kernel
Status on Patch Tuesday
Neither exploited nor publicly disclosed
Exploitability assessment
Exploitation less likely
Product family
Windows, Windows ESU (Extended Security Updates)
Updates (KB)
KB5126868, KB5126835, KB5126836, KB5126651, KB5126657, KB5126655

Entry in the Microsoft Security Update Guide

Public exploits

PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.

Research sources

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 1 Nov 2026, 19:34.

Original description (NVD)

Untrusted pointer dereference in Windows Kernel allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.

NVD references (1)

Sources

The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:

This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.

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