Microsoft Windows Search Component: Use after free allows privilege escalation
Summary
A use-after-free flaw in the Microsoft Windows Search Component allows an authorized local attacker to elevate privileges. The attacker needs a valid low-privileged account on the affected system. If exploited, the CVSS vector (C:H/I:H/A:H) indicates full control of the host.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1607 (10.0.14393.0 to before 10.0.14393.9612)
- Windows 10 Version 1809 (10.0.17763.0 to before 10.0.17763.9376)
- Windows 10 Version 21H2 (10.0.19044.0 to before 10.0.19044.7807)
- Windows 10 Version 22H2 (10.0.19045.0 to before 10.0.19045.7807)
- 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 2012 incl. Server Core (6.2.9200.0 to before 6.2.9200.26434)
- Windows Server 2012 R2 incl. Server Core (6.3.9600.0 to before 6.3.9600.23470)
- Windows Server 2016 (10.0.14393.0 to before 10.0.14393.9612)
- Other Windows Server versions: Unknown, check the Microsoft advisory.
Fixed in
- Windows 10 Version 1607: 10.0.14393.9612
- Windows 10 Version 1809: 10.0.17763.9376
- Windows 10 Version 21H2: 10.0.19044.7807
- Windows 10 Version 22H2: 10.0.19045.7807
- 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 2012: 6.2.9200.26434
- Windows Server 2012 R2: 6.3.9600.23470
- Windows Server 2016: 10.0.14393.9612
- Knowledge Base article numbers: Unknown.
Workaround
Unknown. Microsoft has published fixes and no vendor-published workaround was found.
Exploitation
- Not listed in CISA's KEV catalogue.
- CISA SSVC: Exploitation none, Automatable no, Technical Impact total.
- Public proof of concept: not found. Status unknown.
Our recommendation
- Install the October 2026 security updates on all affected systems, prioritising shared systems such as terminal servers, file servers and kiosks.
- Replace Windows 10 Version 1607 and Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 systems, as they are out of support or near end of support; verify support dates on Microsoft's lifecycle page.
- Review local accounts and restrict standard user rights to limit the impact of a compromised low-privileged account.
- Monitor for unusual privilege changes and new local administrator accounts.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday October 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Elevation of privilege – Microsoft Windows Search Component
- Status on Patch Tuesday
- Neither exploited nor publicly disclosed
- Exploitability assessment
- Exploitation less likely
- Product family
- Windows, Windows ESU (Extended Security Updates)
- Updates (KB)
- KB5126835, KB5126836, KB5126868, KB5126651, KB5126657, KB5126655
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-96324 msrc.microsoft.com
- NVD / CNA data via OpenCVE app.opencve.io
- CNA data via Vulners vulners.com
- October 2026 Microsoft security bulletin coverage www.sonicwall.com
- Version data via Strix www.strix.ai
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, 00:51.
Original description (NVD)
Use after free in Microsoft Windows Search Component 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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