Microsoft Windows Console Driver: Use after free allows privilege escalation

Summary

A use-after-free vulnerability in the Windows Console Driver allows a local user with low privileges to elevate privileges, according to Microsoft up to SYSTEM level. Exploitation requires a local logon and a high-complexity condition, so the risk is mainly for shared systems, terminal servers and workstations where an attacker already has a foothold. Microsoft marked the flaw as not exploited at publication.

Affected

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

Fixed in

• Microsoft security update of October 13, 2026, with the fixed builds listed under affected versions
• KB numbers: Unknown for Windows 10 1607 and Server 2016; a secondary source names KB5126651 (Windows 10 1809 / Server 2019) and KB5126646 (Windows Server 2025), not verified against MSRC

Workaround

Unknown. Microsoft has not published a workaround. Reducing local administrator accounts is general hardening and not a fix.

Exploitation

• Microsoft marks the flaw as not exploited at publication.
• No public proof of concept and no in-the-wild reports were found in the research; this is a search result, not a confirmed absence.
• CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
• EPSS is about 0.003 (roughly 0.3 percent).

Our recommendation

• Install the Microsoft security update of October 13, 2026 on all affected systems, starting with terminal servers and multi-user systems.
• Confirm the build of Windows 10 1607 and Server 2016 devices in the MSRC Security Update Guide, and check their lifecycle status; devices out of support need a replacement or upgrade plan.
• Limit local administrator rights and monitor for unusual privilege escalation.
• Priority: medium-high for multi-user or server systems, medium for single-user workstations.

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 msrc.microsoft.com
• Vulners CVE record (CNA data) vulners.com
• Vulners Microsoft CVE entry (KB references) vulners.com
• Strix CVE page www.strix.ai
• OpenCVE CVE page app.opencve.io
• Qualys Patch Tuesday review, October 2026 blog.qualys.com
• Cisco Talos Patch Tuesday summary, October 2026 blog.talosintelligence.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, 09:02.