# CVE-2026-57092: Microsoft Windows VMSwitch use after free privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-57092-microsoft-windows-vmswitch-use-after-free-privilege-escalation  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-14. Updated: 2026-07-14  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-57092 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.9 · Published 2026-07-14

A critical security vulnerability has been identified in the Windows Virtual Machine Switch (VMSwitch), a component used to manage network traffic for virtual machines. An authorized user on the network could exploit this flaw to gain elevated system privileges, potentially taking full control of the affected server or workstation. This could lead to unauthorized data access, service disruptions, or the ability to move laterally across the corporate network.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows 11](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11), [Microsoft Windows 10](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10), [Microsoft Windows Server 2012](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2012). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-57092 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-57092 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-57092?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.9, published 14 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows 11 Versions 24H2, 25H2, 26H1 (prior to July 2026 updates); Microsoft Windows 10 Versions 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2 (prior to July 2026 updates); Microsoft Windows Server 2012 All editions (prior to July 2026 updates).

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-57092?** A patch was published on 2026-07-14: Security updates released by Microsoft Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-57092 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-57092?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows 11, Microsoft Windows 10 or Microsoft Windows Server 2012 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

This vulnerability is a Use-After-Free (UAF) class flaw (CWE-416) residing in the Windows VMSwitch driver. The vulnerability is triggered when the system improperly handles memory objects after they have been freed, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code or manipulate system memory. The attack vector is network-based and requires low-level authentication (PR:L), but it does not require user interaction. Because the vulnerability has a 'Changed' scope (S:C), an attacker could potentially escape a virtualized environment to impact the underlying host or other virtual machines. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue in the July 2026 patch cycle.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows 10 Versions 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2 (prior to July 2026 updates)
- Microsoft Windows 11 Versions 24H2, 25H2, 26H1 (prior to July 2026 updates)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012 All editions (prior to July 2026 updates)

## Timeline

- 2026-07-14: advisory: Initial publication by Microsoft and NVD
- 2026-07-14: patched: Security updates released by Microsoft

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-57092](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-57092)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows Recovery Environment UEFI/BIOS password bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-116638-the-windows-recovery-environment-winre-in-windows-10-and-11-may)
- [Windows DNS Server out-of-bounds read](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97844-out-of-bounds-read-in-dns-server-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)
- [Windows DNS Server out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97843-out-of-bounds-read-in-dns-server-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)
- [Windows DNS Server out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97842-out-of-bounds-read-in-dns-server-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)
- [Windows DNS Server out-of-bounds read](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97841-out-of-bounds-read-in-dns-server-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)