# CVE-2026-109473: Microsoft Windows Kernel use-after-free privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-109473-use-after-free-in-windows-kernel-allows-an-authorized-attacker  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-11-10. Updated: 2026-11-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-109473 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-11-10

A use-after-free vulnerability in the Windows Kernel allows an authenticated attacker to escalate their privileges to system level on a local machine. An attacker with standard user access could exploit this flaw to gain administrative control and compromise the entire system, potentially leading to data theft or malware installation.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Kernel](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-kernel). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-109473 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-109473 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-109473?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 10 November 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Kernel.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-109473?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-109473 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-109473?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Kernel. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A use-after-free condition in the Windows Kernel allows local privilege escalation when an authenticated attacker triggers specific kernel code paths. The vulnerability requires local access and prior authentication to the system. Exploitation grants the attacker elevated kernel-level privileges.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Kernel

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-109473](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-109473)

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