# CVE-2026-58537: Microsoft Windows NAT Helper Components use after free privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-58537-microsoft-windows-nat-helper-components-use-after-free-privilege  
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-2026-58537 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-07-14

A security vulnerability exists in the Microsoft NAT Helper Components, which are used by Windows to manage network address translation for shared internet connections. An attacker who already has basic access to a computer could exploit this flaw to gain full administrative control over the system. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, the installation of malicious software, or a complete disruption of business operations on the affected machine.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows 11](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11), [Microsoft Windows Server 2025](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2025). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-58537 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-58537 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-58537?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 14 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows 11 10.0.26100.0 to 10.0.26100.8875; Microsoft Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.0 to 10.0.26100.33158.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-58537?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-58537 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-58537?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows 11 or Microsoft Windows Server 2025 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

A use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) exists in the Microsoft NAT Helper Components, specifically within the ipnathlp.dll library. The flaw is triggered when the system 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 target system with low-level 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 11 and Windows Server 2025.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24H2 10.0.26100.0 to 10.0.26100.8875
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 25H2 10.0.26200.0 to 10.0.26100.8875
- Microsoft Windows 11 version 26H1 10.0.28000.0 to 10.0.28000.2525
- Microsoft Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.0 to 10.0.26100.33158

## Timeline

- 2026-07-14: disclosed
- 2026-07-14: advisory

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-58537](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-58537)

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