EUVD-2026-22540
GHSA-j48c-2rrx-55wc
Severity by source
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from NVD.
CVSS VectorNVD
Lifecycle Timeline
6DescriptionCVE.org
Use after free in Desktop Window Manager allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
AnalysisAI
Local privilege escalation in Microsoft Desktop Window Manager (dwm.exe) affects all supported Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server versions via a use-after-free memory corruption flaw. Authenticated local attackers with low privileges can exploit this CWE-416 weakness to gain SYSTEM-level access with low attack complexity, requiring no user interaction. No public exploit identified at time of analysis, and SSVC framework assesses exploitation status as 'none' with non-automatable attack r
Technical ContextAI
Desktop Window Manager (dwm.exe) is the Windows compositing window manager responsible for rendering visual effects, window animations, and the graphical user interface. This CWE-416 use-after-free vulnerability occurs when DWM incorrectly manages memory object lifecycles, allowing a pointer to be dereferenced after its associated memory has been freed. The affected component runs with SYSTEM privileges in Session 0, making it an attractive privilege escalation target. CPE data confirms impact across the entire modern Windows ecosystem: Windows 10 versions 1607, 1809, 21H2, and 22H2; Windows 11 versions 22H3, 23H2, 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1; plus Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022 (including 23H2 Edition), and 2025 in both standard and Server Core installations. The local attack vector (AV:L) and low privilege requirement (PR:L) indicate exploitation occurs through authenticated local access, typical of UAC bypass or sandbox escape scenarios in Windows environments.
RemediationAI
Apply Microsoft security updates immediately through Windows Update or WSUS to upgrade to patched builds: Windows 10 Version 1607 and Server 2016 to build 10.0.14393.9060 or later; Windows 10 Version 1809 and Server 2019 to build 10.0.17763.8644 or later; Windows 10 Version 21H2 to build 10.0.19044.7184 or later; Windows 10 Version 22H2 to build 10.0.19045.7184 or later; Windows 11 Version 22H3 and 23H2 to build 10.0.22631.6936 or later; Windows 11 Version 24H2 and Server 2025 to build 10.0.26100.32690 or later; Windows 11 Version 25H2 to build 10.0.26200.8246 or later; Windows 11 Version 26H1 to build 10.0.28000.1836 or later; Windows Server 2022 to build 10.0.20348.5020 or later; Windows Server 2022 23H2 Edition to build 10.0.25398.2274 or later. Complete patch details and installation guidance available at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-
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Same weakness CWE-416 – Use After Free
View allSame technique Denial Of Service
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External POC / Exploit Code
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