CVE-2026-61348

Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete

Use After Free in Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock

Publication date: 2026-08-11

Last updated on: 2026-08-16

Assigner: Microsoft Corporation

Description

Use after free in Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
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Meta Information

Published

2026-08-11

Last Modified

2026-08-16

Generated

2026-09-01

AI Q&A

2026-08-12

EPSS Evaluated

2026-08-30

NVD

CVE-2026-61348

EUVD

EUVD-2026-56323

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
microsoft	windows_server_2012	r2
microsoft	windows_server_2012	*
microsoft	windows_10_1607	to 10.0.14393.9418 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_1607	to 10.0.14393.9418 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_1809	to 10.0.17763.9115 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_1809	to 10.0.17763.9115 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_21h2	to 10.0.19044.7663 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_21h2	to 10.0.19044.7663 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_21h2	to 10.0.19044.7663 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_22h2	to 10.0.19045.7663 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_22h2	to 10.0.19045.7663 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_22h2	to 10.0.19045.7663 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_23h2	to 10.0.22631.7517 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_23h2	to 10.0.22631.7517 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_24h2	to 10.0.26100.9106 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_24h2	to 10.0.26100.9106 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_26h1	to 10.0.28000.2704 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_26h1	to 10.0.28000.2704 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_25h2	to 10.0.26200.9106 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_25h2	to 10.0.26200.9106 (exc)
microsoft	windows_server_2016	to 10.0.14393.9418 (exc)
microsoft	windows_server_2019	to 10.0.17763.9115 (exc)
microsoft	windows_server_2022	to 10.0.20348.5440 (exc)
microsoft	windows_server_2025	to 10.0.26100.33222 (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 Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.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 Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock. It allows an authorized attacker with local access to exploit a freed memory issue to elevate their privileges on the system.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability involves a use-after-free issue in the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock. Detection typically requires analyzing system logs for crashes or unusual behavior in the driver (afd.sys). Check for Event Viewer logs under Windows Logs > System for afd.sys-related errors or application crashes. Microsoft's official security updates or patches should be applied to mitigate this issue.

Impact Analysis

An attacker with local access could exploit this to gain higher privileges, 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 in Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock. While not directly impacting GDPR or HIPAA compliance, unauthorized privilege escalation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, potentially violating confidentiality requirements under these regulations.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest security updates from Microsoft to patch the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock vulnerability.

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