CVE-2026-85864

Undergoing Analysis Undergoing Analysis - In Progress

Improper Privilege Management in Python

Publication date: 2026-10-13

Last updated on: 2026-10-16

Assigner: Microsoft Corporation

Description

Improper privilege management in Python 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-2026-85864

EUVD

EUVD-2026-99567

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
Microsoft	Windows	10 Version 1607 10.0.14393.0
Microsoft	Windows	10 Version 1809 10.0.17763.0
Microsoft	Windows	10 Version 21H2 10.0.19044.0
Microsoft	Windows	10 Version 22H2 10.0.19045.0
Microsoft	Windows	11 version 23H2 10.0.22631.0
Microsoft	Windows	11 Version 23H2 10.0.22631.0
Microsoft	Windows	11 Version 24H2 10.0.26100.0
Microsoft	Windows	11 Version 25H2 10.0.26200.0
Microsoft	Windows	11 version 26H1 10.0.28000.0
Microsoft	Windows	11 Version 26H2 10.0.26300.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2012 6.2.9200.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2012 (Server Core installation) 6.2.9200.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2012 R2 6.3.9600.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) 6.3.9600.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2016 10.0.14393.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2016 (Server Core installation) 10.0.14393.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2019 10.0.17763.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2019 (Server Core installation) 10.0.17763.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2022 10.0.20348.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2025 10.0.26100.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.0

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-641	The product constructs the name of a file or other resource using input from an upstream component, but it does not restrict or incorrectly restricts the resulting name.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

This vulnerability involves improper privilege management in Python, allowing an authorized attacker to elevate their privileges locally on affected systems.

Detection Guidance

Detecting this vulnerability requires checking for improper privilege management in Python environments. Review Python scripts and configurations for privilege escalation paths. Monitor system logs for unusual privilege changes or Python-related activities. Use commands like 'pip list --outdated' to check for outdated Python packages and 'icacls' on Windows to inspect file permissions.

Impact Analysis

An attacker could exploit this to gain higher-level access on your system, potentially allowing them to install programs, view or delete data, or create new accounts with full user rights.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability allows local privilege escalation, which could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data or systems. This may violate compliance requirements under GDPR (data protection) and HIPAA (health information security) by enabling unauthorized data access or modification.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest security updates from Microsoft for affected Windows versions. Monitor Microsoft's update guide for patches and install them promptly to address the improper privilege management issue.

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