# CVE-2026-77899: Microsoft Windows Security Center use-after-free privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-77899-microsoft-windows-security-center-use-after-free-privilege  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-08. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-77899 · Severity: high · CVSS 7 · Published 2026-09-08

Windows Security Center is a built-in Windows component that manages antivirus and security settings. A use-after-free vulnerability allows an authenticated local attacker to elevate their privileges on the system, potentially gaining administrative access and full control over the machine.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Security Center](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-security-center). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-77899 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-77899 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-77899?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7, published 8 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Security Center.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-77899?** 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-2026-77899 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-77899?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Security Center. 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

The vulnerability is a use-after-free condition in Windows Security Center that permits local privilege escalation. An authorized attacker with local access can trigger the use-after-free to achieve privilege elevation. The attack requires prior authentication/access to the system (not unauthenticated network-based). Successful exploitation results in elevated privileges, typically leading to system compromise. Patches from Microsoft are available through their security update channels.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Security Center

## Timeline

- 2026-09-08: disclosed: CVE-2026-77899 published

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-77899](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-77899)

## Related threats

- [Windows Security Center use-after-free privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-113842-use-after-free-in-windows-security-center-allows-an-authorized)
- [Windows Security Center privilege elevation via improper channel restriction](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-70212-improper-restriction-of-communication-channel-to-intended)