Windows Kernel: Local privilege escalation via invalid pointer or reference
Summary
A flaw in the Windows kernel (CWE-763, release of invalid pointer or reference) allows an authorized local attacker to elevate privileges. An attacker with a valid, low-privileged local account could gain higher rights, potentially SYSTEM, on the affected host. Remote exploitation is not described, and the attack requires local logon or code execution.
Affected
- Windows 11 version 23H2 (10.0.22631.0 to before 10.0.22631.7652)
- Windows 11 version 24H2 (10.0.26100.0 to before 10.0.26100.9711)
- Windows 11 version 25H2 (10.0.26200.0 to before 10.0.26200.9711)
- Windows 11 version 26H1 (10.0.28000.0 to before 10.0.28000.3231)
- Windows 11 version 26H2 (10.0.26300.0 to before 10.0.26300.9711)
- Windows Server 2025, including Server Core installation (10.0.26100.0 to before 10.0.26100.33650)
Fixed in
- Windows 11 version 23H2: 10.0.22631.7652
- Windows 11 version 24H2: 10.0.26100.9711
- Windows 11 version 25H2: 10.0.26200.9711
- Windows 11 version 26H1: 10.0.28000.3231
- Windows 11 version 26H2: 10.0.26300.9711
- Windows Server 2025: 10.0.26100.33650
- Patches from the October 2026 security update (KB5126653 for 23H2 and KB5126646 for Server 2025, secondary source, to be confirmed on MSRC)
Workaround
No workaround is documented in the CVE record. Until patched, restrict local logon to trusted users, especially on shared workstations and multi-user Remote Desktop hosts.
Exploitation
- Microsoft marks the vulnerability as not exploited and states that no publicly available exploit code exists.
- CISA SSVC (Vulnrichment): exploitation none, not automatable.
- Not listed in the CISA KEV catalogue.
- No public proof of concept or in-the-wild exploitation found in the research, but this is not proof of absence.
Our recommendation
- Install the October 2026 cumulative update on all affected Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 systems, prioritising shared PCs, Remote Desktop and terminal servers.
- Verify the fixed build for each product on the MSRC update guide.
- Limit local logon and remove unnecessary local accounts on multi-user systems.
- Monitor for unexpected privilege changes and re-check the CISA KEV catalogue and vendor updates.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday October 2026)
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-83735 msrc.microsoft.com
- Microsoft Security Update Guide (en-US): CVE-2026-83735 msrc.microsoft.com
- Vulners CVE list entry: CVE-2026-83735 vulners.com
- Vulners NVD entry: CVE-2026-83735 vulners.com
- OpenCVE: CVE-2026-83735 app.opencve.io
- Qualys: Microsoft Patch Tuesday October 2026 review blog.qualys.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 2 Nov 2026, 03:13.
Original description (NVD)
Release of invalid pointer or reference in Windows Kernel 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.
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