CVE-2026-21251
Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete
Use-After-Free in Windows Cluster Client Failover Enables Local Privilege Escalation

Publication date: 2026-02-10

Last updated on: 2026-02-11

Assigner: Microsoft Corporation

Description
Use after free in Windows Cluster Client Failover allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
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Meta Information
Published
2026-02-10
Last Modified
2026-02-11
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2026-02-10
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-15
NVD
EUVD
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 5 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
microsoft windows_server_2016 to 10.0.14393.8868 (exc)
microsoft windows_server_2019 to 10.0.17763.8389 (exc)
microsoft windows_server_2022 to 10.0.20348.4711 (exc)
microsoft windows_server_2025 to 10.0.26100.32313 (exc)
microsoft windows_server_2022_23h2 to 10.0.25398.2149 (exc)
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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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 Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.
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Detection Guidance

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability is a use after free issue in the Windows Cluster Client Failover component.

It allows an authorized attacker to elevate their privileges locally on the affected system.

Impact Analysis

An attacker who exploits this vulnerability can gain higher privileges on the local system.

This elevation of privilege can lead to full control over the affected system, potentially allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code, access sensitive data, or disrupt system operations.

Compliance Impact

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