EUVD-2026-43909
GHSA-vq5w-gmhq-wgw3
Severity by source
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Local authenticated user (AV:L/PR:L) triggers a low-complexity kernel use-after-free with no interaction, escalating to SYSTEM for full C/I/A impact within an unchanged scope.
Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft).
CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionCVE.org
Use after free in Windows DirectX allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
AnalysisAI
Local privilege escalation in the Windows DirectX graphics kernel subsystem allows an authenticated attacker to elevate to SYSTEM by triggering a use-after-free (CWE-416) memory-corruption condition across Windows 11 (24H2, 25H2, 26H1) and Windows Server 2025. The CVSS 3.1 vector (7.8, AV:L/PR:L) confirms local access and low existing privileges are required with no user interaction, yielding full confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. Reported by Microsoft with a vendor patch available; no public exploit identified at time of analysis and the CVE is not listed in CISA KEV.
Technical ContextAI
DirectX is Microsoft's collection of multimedia and graphics APIs, whose kernel-mode components (notably the DirectX Graphics Kernel, dxgkrnl.sys, and related graphics drivers) mediate user-mode access to GPU resources. The root cause is CWE-416 (Use After Free): a memory object is freed while a dangling reference remains, and subsequent reuse of that reference lets an attacker manipulate freed-then-reallocated kernel memory. Because the affected code runs in kernel context, controlling the reallocated allocation can hijack execution flow or corrupt kernel structures, converting a memory-safety defect into a privilege primitive. The CPE data scopes the flaw to Windows 11 versions 24H2/25H2/26H1 and Windows Server 2025 including Server Core installations, all of which ship the current DirectX kernel stack.
RemediationAI
Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2026-50353 via Windows Update or WSUS/Intune; the fix is delivered as part of the corresponding monthly cumulative update for each affected build (Patch available per vendor advisory - confirm the exact patched build for your OS at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50353). Because this is a local privilege-escalation flaw, patching is the definitive control and no supported feature-toggle fully mitigates a kernel UAF. As interim compensating controls, restrict the ability of untrusted or low-privilege users to run arbitrary code on affected hosts - enforce least privilege, remove standard users from shared session hosts, and apply application control (WDAC/AppLocker) to limit which binaries can invoke the vulnerable code path; the trade-off is operational overhead and potential blocking of legitimate GPU/graphics applications. Prioritize multi-user systems such as Windows Server 2025 RDS session hosts and VDI where the local-access precondition is easiest to satisfy.
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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
Leaving vuln.today