Executive brief
A security vulnerability has been identified in the Windows Kernel, the core component of the Microsoft Windows operating system. This flaw allows an individual who already has basic access to a computer to gain full administrative control. Such an exploit could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, the installation of malicious software, or a complete system takeover.
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 to the system with low-level user privileges. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to execute code with SYSTEM privileges, effectively bypassing security boundaries. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue across various versions of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server.
Affected products
- Microsoft Windows 10 1809, 21H2, 22H2
- Microsoft Windows 11 24H2, 25H2, 26H1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2019
- Microsoft Windows Server 2022
Timeline
- 2026-07-14: disclosed
- 2026-07-14: advisory