CVE-2026-85836

Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete

Use After Free in Windows Kernel Allows Local Privilege Escalation

Publication date: 2026-10-13

Last updated on: 2026-10-16

Assigner: Microsoft Corporation

Description

Use after free in Windows Kernel allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
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Meta Information

Published

2026-10-13

Last Modified

2026-10-16

Generated

2026-10-19

AI Q&A

2026-10-14

EPSS Evaluated

2026-10-18

NVD

CVE-2026-85836

EUVD

EUVD-2026-99545

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
microsoft	windows_11_24h2	to 10.0.26100.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_24h2	to 10.0.26100.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_25h2	to 10.0.26200.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_25h2	to 10.0.26200.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_26h1	to 10.0.28000.3231 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_26h1	to 10.0.28000.3231 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_26h2	to 10.0.26300.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_26h2	to 10.0.26300.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_server_2025	to 10.0.26100.33650 (exc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-416	The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Windows Kernel. It allows an authorized attacker to elevate their privileges locally by exploiting improper memory handling. The attacker must already have access to the system to exploit this flaw.

Impact Analysis

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain higher-level permissions on your system, potentially enabling them to install programs, view or delete data, or create new accounts with full user rights.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability allows local privilege escalation in Windows systems. While not directly impacting GDPR or HIPAA compliance, such vulnerabilities could enable unauthorized access to sensitive data, potentially violating confidentiality requirements in these regulations.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest Windows security updates from Microsoft Update to patch the Windows Kernel use-after-free vulnerability. Monitor Microsoft's security advisories for patches specific to CVE-2026-85836.

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