# CVE-2026-85945: Windows Kernel use-after-free privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85945-use-after-free-in-windows-kernel-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-2026-85945 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-10-13

A use-after-free vulnerability in the Windows Kernel allows an authenticated local user to gain higher-level privileges on a system. An attacker with user account access could exploit this flaw to execute code with administrator or system-level permissions, potentially compromising the entire system.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-85945 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-85945 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-85945?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 13 October 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-85945?** 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-2026-85945 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-85945?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Kernel. 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 condition in the Windows Kernel allows an authenticated local attacker to elevate privileges. The vulnerability requires local access and valid user credentials. Successful exploitation grants the attacker kernel-level privileges.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Kernel

## Timeline

- 2026-10-13: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-85945](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-85945)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows Kernel out-of-bounds read](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96058-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-kernel-allows-an-unauthorized)
- [Windows Kernel integer underflow privilege elevation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96052-integer-underflow-wrap-or-wraparound-in-windows-kernel-allows-an)
- [Windows Kernel incorrect authorization privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-95988-incorrect-authorization-in-windows-kernel-allows-an-authorized)
- [Windows Kernel race condition privilege elevation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-94514-concurrent-execution-using-shared-resource-with-improper)
- [Microsoft Windows Kernel out-of-bounds read privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-122183-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-kernel-allows-an-authorized)