# CVE-2026-85371: Microsoft Network Policy Server use-after-free RCE

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85371-use-after-free-in-network-policy-server-nps-allows-an  
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-2026-85371 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.1 · Published 2026-10-13

Network Policy Server (NPS) is a Windows component that authenticates and authorizes network access for corporate users and devices. A use-after-free vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code over the network without authentication, potentially giving them complete control of the system.

Technologies: [Microsoft Network Policy Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/network-policy-server). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-85371 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-85371 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-85371?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.1, published 13 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Network Policy Server.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-85371?** 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-2026-85371 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-85371?** Check whether you run Microsoft Network Policy Server. 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 Network Policy Server enables remote code execution via network attack vectors without requiring authentication. The vulnerability allows an unauthorized attacker to execute arbitrary code by exploiting memory corruption in the NPS service.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Network Policy Server

## Timeline

- 2026-10-13: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-85371](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-85371)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Network Policy Server out-of-bounds read](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96246-out-of-bounds-read-in-network-policy-server-nps-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Network Policy Server use-after-free remote code execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85811-use-after-free-in-network-policy-server-nps-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Network Policy Server integer underflow remote code execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85806-integer-underflow-wrap-or-wraparound-in-network-policy-server-nps)
- [Microsoft Network Policy Server use-after-free remote code execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85799-use-after-free-in-network-policy-server-nps-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Network Policy Server out-of-bounds read denial of service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83655-out-of-bounds-read-in-network-policy-server-nps-allows-an)