Windows Search Component: Use after free allows local privilege escalation

Summary

A use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) in the Microsoft Windows Search Component allows an authorized local user to elevate their privileges. The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.0 (High) with a local attack vector, low privileges required and high attack complexity. An attacker needs an existing logon or code execution on the affected system, so the vulnerability is not remotely exploitable.

Affected

• Windows 10 Version 1607 and Windows Server 2016: 10.0.14393.0 to < 10.0.14393.9612
• Windows 10 Version 1809: 10.0.17763.0 to < 10.0.17763.9376
• Windows 10 Version 21H2: 10.0.19044.0 to < 10.0.19044.7807
• Windows 10 Version 22H2: 10.0.19045.0 to < 10.0.19045.7807
• Windows 11 Version 23H2: 10.0.22631.0 to < 10.0.22631.7652
• Windows 11 Version 24H2: 10.0.26100.0 to < 10.0.26100.9711
• Windows 11 Version 25H2: 10.0.26200.0 to < 10.0.26200.9711
• Windows 11 Version 26H1: 10.0.28000.0 to < 10.0.28000.3231
• Windows 11 Version 26H2: 10.0.26300.0 to < 10.0.26300.9711
• Windows Server 2012 (including Server Core): 6.2.9200.0 to < 6.2.9200.26434
• Windows Server 2012 R2 (including Server Core): 6.3.9600.0 to < 6.3.9600.23470

Fixed in

• Fixed from the build numbers listed above (first unaffected build), per the official CVE record
• Windows 10 1607 / Server 2016 build 10.0.14393.9612 is not yet verified against the MSRC advisory
• Windows 10 1809 security update KB5126651 and Windows Server 2025 security update KB5126646 (October 2026), per secondary sources
• KB number for Windows 10 1607 / Server 2016: Unknown.

Workaround

Unknown.

Exploitation

• Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0; Microsoft rates exploitation as less likely (third-party summary, not verified on MSRC)
• No evidence of exploitation in the wild found
• No public proof of concept found
• EPSS 0.00252 (very low)
• CISA SSVC: exploitation none, not automatable, total technical impact
• CISA KEV listing: not confirmed

Our recommendation

• Install the October 2026 Windows security update on all affected systems, prioritising multi-user servers, terminal and file servers
• Identify any remaining Windows 10 1607 or Server 2016 systems and check whether they can still receive updates
• Verify the fixed builds and KB numbers on the MSRC Security Update Guide before rollout
• Limit local logons on servers and monitor for privilege escalation after phishing or malware incidents

Public exploits iAttack code is publicly available (PoC on GitHub, Metasploit or Exploit-DB).

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

Research sources

• Microsoft Security Update Guide (CVE-2026-70150) msrc.microsoft.com
• Vulners MSCVE record vulners.com
• OpenCVE record app.opencve.io
• Strix CVE record www.strix.ai
• Layerlogix Windows 2026-10 summary layerlogix.com
• VulDB entry vuldb.com

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, 09:10.