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Windows CVE-2026-20871

HIGH
Use After Free (CWE-416)
2026-01-13 secure@microsoft.com
Windows Use After Free Windows Server 2022 Windows Server 2025 Windows 10 22h2 Windows 11 24h2 Windows 11 23h2 Windows 11 25h2 Windows Server 2022 23h2 Windows 10 21h2 Microsoft
7.8
CVSS 3.1 · NVD
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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY
7.8 HIGH
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

Lifecycle Timeline

2
Analysis Generated
Mar 12, 2026 - 21:54 vuln.today
CVE Published
Jan 13, 2026 - 18:16 nvd
HIGH 7.8

DescriptionCVE.org

Use after free in Desktop Windows Manager allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

AnalysisAI

Local privilege escalation in Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) through use-after-free memory corruption affects Windows 10 22H2, Windows Server 2022, and Windows Server 2025. An authenticated local attacker can exploit this vulnerability to gain system-level privileges with no user interaction required. …

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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata

Access
Authenticate as low-privilege local user
Exploit
Trigger use-after-free in Desktop Windows Manager
Execution
Manipulate freed memory
Impact
Execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges
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Vulnerability AssessmentAI

Exploitation Local system access as authenticated user with active session; Desktop Windows Manager (dwm.exe) running with default configuration in Windows environment; ability to interact with graphical subsystem. Additional conditions and limiting factors are described in the full assessment.
Risk Assessment CVSS 7.8 (HIGH). … Full risk analysis with EPSS, KEV, and SSVC signal comparison available after sign-in.
Exploit Scenario An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the affected system.
Remediation Monitor vendor advisories for a patch. Detailed patch versions, workarounds, and compensating controls in full report.
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Recommended ActionAI

Within 7 days: Identify all affected systems and apply vendor patches promptly. …

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CVE-2026-20871 vulnerability details – vuln.today
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