CVE-2026-24285: Microsoft Windows Win32K use after free privilege escalation

CVE-2026-24285 · Severity: high · CVSS 7 · Published 2026-03-10

A security vulnerability exists in the Windows kernel-mode driver responsible for managing graphics and windowing. An attacker who already has basic access to a computer could exploit this flaw to gain full administrative control over the system. This could allow them to bypass security restrictions, access sensitive data, or install malicious software across the entire operating system.

Technologies: Microsoft Windows 11, Microsoft Windows Server, Microsoft Windows 10. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-24285 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-24285 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-24285?
High severity, with a CVSS score of 7, published 10 March 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows 11 23H2, 24H2, 25H2; Microsoft Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022, 23H2; Microsoft Windows 10 1809, 21H2, 22H2.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-24285?
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-2026-24285 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-24285?
Check whether you run Microsoft Windows 11, Microsoft Windows Server or Microsoft Windows 10 at an affected version. 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 (UAF) vulnerability exists within the Windows Win32K (win32k.sys) kernel-mode driver, identified as CWE-416. The flaw is triggered when the system incorrectly manages memory objects during graphics or windowing operations, allowing an attacker to reuse memory that has already been freed. To exploit this, an attacker must have local access to the system with low-level user privileges. Successful exploitation enables the attacker to execute code in kernel mode, leading to a full local privilege escalation (LPE) to SYSTEM. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue across supported versions of Windows and Windows Server.

Affected products

  • Microsoft Windows 10 1809, 21H2, 22H2
  • Microsoft Windows 11 23H2, 24H2, 25H2
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022, 23H2

Timeline

  • 2026-03-10: disclosed: Initial disclosure by Microsoft
  • 2026-03-10: advisory: MSRC advisory published

References

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