# CVE-2026-88097: Microsoft Edge use after free privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-88097-use-after-free-in-microsoft-edge-chromium-based-allows-an  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-18. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-88097 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.1 · Published 2026-09-18

Microsoft Edge is a web browser used by millions of users to access internet services and corporate applications. A use-after-free vulnerability allows a local attacker to execute code with elevated privileges on an affected system, potentially giving them administrative control of the device.

Technologies: [Microsoft Edge](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/edge), [Microsoft Edge Chromium](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/edge-chromium). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-88097 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-88097 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-88097?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.1, published 18 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Edge.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-88097?** 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-2026-88097 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a web application.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-88097?** Check whether you run Microsoft Edge or Microsoft Edge Chromium. 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 memory vulnerability in Microsoft Edge's Chromium-based rendering engine allows local code execution with privilege escalation. The vulnerability requires local access to the affected system. An attacker exploiting this flaw can gain elevated privileges and achieve arbitrary code execution on the target device.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Edge

## Timeline

- 2026-09-18: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-88097](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-88097)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Edge out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-122518-out-of-bounds-read-in-microsoft-edge-chromium-based-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Edge privilege escalation via incorrect authorization](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-69446-incorrect-authorization-in-microsoft-edge-chromium-based-allows)
- [Microsoft Edge use-after-free privilege elevation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96203-use-after-free-in-microsoft-edge-chromium-based-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Edge heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96199-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-microsoft-edge-chromium-based)
- [Microsoft Edge heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96198-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-microsoft-edge-chromium-based)