Executive brief
A security vulnerability exists in the Windows component responsible for managing application installation and lifecycle. 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 Application Model (CWE-416). The flaw is triggered when the system incorrectly handles objects in memory during application management operations, allowing an attacker to reuse a memory pointer after it has been freed. To exploit this, an attacker must first have local access to the system with standard user privileges. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue across affected versions of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server.
Affected products
- Microsoft Windows 10 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2
- Microsoft Windows 11 24H2, 25H2, 26H1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Standard and Server Core
Timeline
- 2026-07-14: disclosed
- 2026-07-14: advisory