# CVE-2026-85354: Windows Error Reporting use-after-free privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85354-use-after-free-in-windows-error-reporting-allows-an-authorized  
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-2026-85354 · Severity: high · CVSS 7 · Published 2026-10-13

Windows Error Reporting, a system component that handles application crash reports, contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows an authenticated attacker to elevate their privileges on a local machine. An attacker with legitimate user credentials could exploit this flaw to gain system-level access and take full control of the affected computer.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Error Reporting](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-error-reporting). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-85354 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-85354 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-85354?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7, published 13 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Error Reporting.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-85354?** 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-2026-85354 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-85354?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Error Reporting. 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 in Windows Error Reporting permits privilege escalation through local attack. The flaw requires an authenticated user on the system; successful exploitation grants elevated privileges. The vulnerability was discovered but is not known to be actively exploited in the wild.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Error Reporting

## Timeline

- 2026-10-13: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-85354](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-85354)

## Related threats

- [Windows Error Reporting privilege escalation in file handling](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-94525-an-elevation-of-privilege-vulnerability-exists-in-windows-error)
- [Windows Error Reporting double free privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85862-double-free-in-windows-error-reporting-allows-an-authorized)
- [Windows Error Reporting weak authentication privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83840-weak-authentication-in-windows-error-reporting-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Windows Error Reporting out-of-bounds read](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83747-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-error-reporting-allows-an)
- [Windows Error Reporting privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83669-use-of-uninitialized-resource-in-windows-error-reporting-allows)