Microsoft Windows Kernel: Local privilege escalation via use-after-free
Summary
A use-after-free flaw in the Windows kernel allows an authorized local user to elevate privileges. An attacker needs a foothold on the system with low privileges first, for example through malware or stolen credentials. The CVSS base score is 7.8 (High), and the vector assumes full impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability.
Affected
- Windows 11 Version 24H2: builds 10.0.26100.0 to before 10.0.26100.9711
- Windows 11 Version 25H2: builds 10.0.26200.0 to before 10.0.26200.9711
- Windows 11 Version 26H1: builds 10.0.28000.0 to before 10.0.28000.3231
- Windows 11 Version 26H2: builds 10.0.26300.0 to before 10.0.26300.9711
- Windows Server 2025 (including Server Core): builds 10.0.26100.0 to before 10.0.26100.33650
Fixed in
- Windows 11 24H2: 10.0.26100.9711
- Windows 11 25H2: 10.0.26200.9711
- Windows 11 26H1: 10.0.28000.3231
- Windows 11 26H2: 10.0.26300.9711
- Windows Server 2025: 10.0.26100.33650
- Patch released with the October 2026 Patch Tuesday (October 13, 2026). Verify KB numbers per product on the MSRC advisory.
Workaround
Unknown. No workaround is given in the CVE record. Patching is the remediation.
Exploitation
- Not listed in CISA KEV.
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
- Microsoft exploit maturity: unproven.
- No public proof of concept found.
- Unknown whether it has been used in attacks.
Our recommendation
- Deploy the October 2026 cumulative update to affected Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 systems via Windows Update, WSUS or Intune, and reboot.
- Prioritise endpoints and servers with many users or shared or untrusted code.
- Limit local accounts and restrict who can run untrusted code on endpoints.
- Check whether Windows 10 devices are affected and confirm ESU status.
- Re-check CISA KEV 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 MSRC advisory msrc.microsoft.com
- NVD record (via Vulners) vulners.com
- OpenCVE app.opencve.io
- Strix.ai (version table) www.strix.ai
- VulDB vuldb.com
- Theori bug tracker github.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, 02:03.
Original description (NVD)
Use after free 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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