# CVE-2026-65781: Microsoft Windows Autopilot use-after-free privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-65781-microsoft-windows-autopilot-use-after-free-privilege-escalation  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-08-11. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-65781 · Severity: high · CVSS 7 · Published 2026-08-11

Windows Autopilot is a Microsoft service that automates Windows device setup and provisioning in enterprise environments. A use-after-free vulnerability allows an authorized attacker with local access to escalate privileges on an affected system, potentially gaining full administrative control and ability to modify system configuration or access sensitive data.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Autopilot](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-autopilot). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-65781 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-65781 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-65781?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7, published 11 August 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Autopilot.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-65781?** 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-2026-65781 attacked?** It is attacked with local access.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-65781?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Autopilot. 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 memory vulnerability exists in Windows Autopilot's local processing code. An authorized local attacker can exploit this memory safety issue to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability requires local access to the system and the attacker must be already authorized (user-level access sufficient). Successful exploitation enables local privilege escalation to system or administrator level. Patches are expected from Microsoft through their regular security updates.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Autopilot

## Timeline

- 2026-08-11: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-65781](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-65781)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows Autopilot use after free privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-122175-use-after-free-in-windows-autopilot-allows-an-authorized)
- [Microsoft Windows Autopilot race condition privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96215-concurrent-execution-using-shared-resource-with-improper)
- [Microsoft Windows Autopilot use-after-free privilege elevation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-108134-use-after-free-in-windows-autopilot-allows-an-authorized)
- [Microsoft Windows Autopilot missing authentication in critical function](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-73004-microsoft-windows-autopilot-missing-authentication-in-critical)
- [Microsoft Windows Autopilot use-after-free privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-65783-microsoft-windows-autopilot-use-after-free-privilege-escalation)