Executive brief
A security vulnerability has been identified in the Windows Kernel, the core component of the Microsoft Windows operating system. This flaw allows a user who already has basic access to a computer to gain full administrative control over the system. An attacker could use this elevated access 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 have local access to the system with low-level user privileges. Successful exploitation enables the attacker to execute code with SYSTEM privileges, leading to a complete compromise of the host's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. 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 Version 1607 10.0.14393.0 to 10.0.14393.9339
- Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 10.0.17763.0 to 10.0.17763.9020
- Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21H2 10.0.19044.0 to 10.0.19044.7548
- Microsoft Windows 10 Version 22H2 10.0.19045.0 to 10.0.19045.7548
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24H2 10.0.26100.0 to 10.0.26100.8875
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016 10.0.14393.0 to 10.0.14393.9339
Timeline
- 2026-07-14: disclosed: Initial publication by Microsoft and NVD
- 2026-07-14: advisory: Microsoft Security Response Center advisory published