# CVE-2026-83853: Windows Hello use after free privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83853-use-after-free-in-windows-hello-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to  
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-2026-83853 · Severity: high · CVSS 7 · Published 2026-10-13

Windows Hello is Microsoft's biometric authentication system used to secure user accounts on Windows devices. A use-after-free vulnerability allows an authorized local attacker to escalate their privileges on the system, potentially gaining administrative access and full control of the device.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-83853 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-83853 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-83853?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7, published 13 October 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-83853?** 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-2026-83853 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-83853?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Hello. 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 exists in Windows Hello's memory management. An authenticated local attacker can exploit this flaw by manipulating memory to gain kernel-level privileges, bypassing normal privilege boundaries and achieving local privilege escalation.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Hello

## Timeline

- 2026-10-13: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-83853](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-83853)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows Hello certificate validation bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83926-improper-certificate-validation-in-windows-hello-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Windows Hello out-of-bounds read](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83849-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-hello-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Microsoft Windows Hello heap buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81354-microsoft-windows-hello-heap-buffer-overflow)
- [Microsoft Windows Hello security feature bypass via uncontrolled search path](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-72980-microsoft-windows-hello-security-feature-bypass-via-uncontrolled)
- [Microsoft Windows Hello use-after-free privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-69864-microsoft-windows-hello-use-after-free-privilege-escalation)