Executive brief
A security vulnerability exists in the Windows Kernel, the core component of the Windows operating system. 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 view sensitive data, install malicious software, or disrupt business operations.
Technical details
A use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability exists in the Windows Kernel (CWE-416). The flaw is triggered when the kernel improperly handles objects in memory, allowing an attacker to reuse a memory pointer after it has been freed. To exploit this, an attacker must first have local access and the ability to execute code with low privileges. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to gain SYSTEM-level privileges, leading to a full compromise of the host's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue across various versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Affected products
- Microsoft Windows 10 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2
- Microsoft Windows 11 22H3, 23H2, 24H2, 25H2, 26H1
Timeline
- 2026-03-10: disclosed
- 2026-03-10: advisory