Is CVE-2026-85850 exploited in the wild?

No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-85850 being exploited in the wild.

How severe is CVE-2026-85850?

High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 13 October 2026.

Is there a fix for CVE-2026-85850?

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-2026-85850 attacked?

It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

Am I affected by CVE-2026-85850?

Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Kernel or Microsoft Windows 11 26h1 at an affected version. 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.

CVE-2026-85850: Microsoft Windows Kernel use-after-free privilege escalation

CVE-2026-85850 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-10-13

A flaw in the Windows Kernel could allow an authorized user to gain elevated system privileges through a local attack. An attacker with user-level access could exploit this vulnerability to obtain administrative control of an affected system, potentially enabling further attacks such as malware installation or data theft.

Technologies: Microsoft Windows Kernel, Microsoft Windows 11 26h1. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-85850 exploited in the wild?: No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-85850 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-85850?: High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 13 October 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?: Microsoft Windows Kernel <UNKNOWN>.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-85850?: 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-2026-85850 attacked?: It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-85850?: Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Kernel or Microsoft Windows 11 26h1 at an affected version. 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 Windows Kernel contains a use-after-free vulnerability in pointer/reference management that allows an authenticated attacker to trigger a local privilege escalation. The attack requires local access and authorization but does not require user interaction. A successful exploit results in kernel-mode execution with SYSTEM privileges.

Affected products

Microsoft Windows Kernel <UNKNOWN>

Timeline

2026-10-13: disclosed

References

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-85850

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