# CVE-2026-83585: Windows NTFS format string privilege elevation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83585-use-of-externally-controlled-format-string-in-windows-ntfs-allows  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-13. Updated: 2026-10-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-83585 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-10-13

Windows NTFS, the file system that stores and organizes data on Windows computers, contains a format string vulnerability that allows an authorized local user to execute arbitrary code and elevate their privileges to administrator level. An attacker with an existing user account on the system could exploit this flaw to gain full control of the machine and access all data on it.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-83585 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-83585 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-83585?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 13 October 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-83585?** 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-2026-83585 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-83585?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows NTFS. 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 format string vulnerability exists in the Windows NTFS file system driver that processes externally-controlled format strings without proper validation. An authenticated local attacker can craft malicious input to trigger this vulnerability and achieve privilege escalation. The vulnerability requires local access and user authentication but does not require user interaction beyond initial system access.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows NTFS

## Timeline

- 2026-10-13: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-83585](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-83585)

## Related threats

- [Windows NTFS pointer dereference remote code execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-105542-untrusted-pointer-dereference-in-windows-ntfs-allows-an)
- [Windows NTFS improper access control information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83864-improper-access-control-in-windows-ntfs-allows-an-authorized)
- [Windows NTFS out-of-bounds read privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83508-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-ntfs-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Windows NTFS integer overflow allows privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-69916-integer-overflow-or-wraparound-in-windows-ntfs-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Windows NTFS out-of-bounds read privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-77503-microsoft-windows-ntfs-out-of-bounds-read-privilege-escalation)