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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Gain low-privileged local access
  2. Delivery
    Launch crafted process invoking Win32K syscalls
  3. Exploit
    Trigger use-after-free on freed kernel object
  4. Execution
    Corrupt kernel memory / hijack token
  5. Impact
    Elevate to SYSTEM privileges

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Memory lifecycle management
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Execution, Privilege Escalation

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Exploitation Conditions

Exploitation requires the attacker to already have authenticated local code-execution on the target (CVSS PR:L, AV:L): they must be able to run an arbitrary process as a standard/low-privileged user and invoke the vulnerable Win32K system-call path - there is no remote or network-facing exposure and no default-configuration remote risk. No user interaction is required (UI:N) and attack complexity is low (AC:L), so once a local foothold exists no additional configuration prerequisites are called out in the description. Limiting factors: the attacker cannot reach this bug over the network, must possess valid local credentials or an existing code-execution primitive, and the host must be an unpatched build among the listed Windows 10/11 and Server 2019-2025 versions; systems that restrict local code execution or that untrusted users cannot log into are not realistically exposed.

Impact

The CVSS 3.1 vector CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H yields a base score of 7.8 (High): local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and full high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability within an unchanged scope - the classic profile of a reliable local EoP that grants SYSTEM. Weighing all signals, this is a real but second-stage priority: it is not remotely exploitable and requires the attacker to already run code as an authenticated local user, so it is not a perimeter-breaching bug. However, Win32K UAF flaws are frequently weaponized as the escalation step in real-world intrusion chains, and the low attack complexity implies a working exploit would likely be reliable. No EPSS score, SSVC decision, KEV listing, or POC was provided in the input, so exploitation likelihood cannot be quantified from the available data - absence of a KEV entry is not confirmation the bug is not exploitable, only that CISA has not catalogued active exploitation. Prioritize patching multi-user, terminal-server, and shared workstation hosts where untrusted local code is most likely to run.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker who has already gained a low-privileged foothold - via phishing, a compromised service account, or a malicious insider - runs a crafted program that issues Win32K system calls to trigger the use-after-free, corrupting kernel memory to overwrite a process token or hijack execution and elevate to SYSTEM. No public exploit is identified at time of analysis, but the low attack complexity (AC:L) and no-user-interaction (UI:N) profile make a reliable local exploit plausible once code is developed.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 1.7% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Jul 14, 2026

Local privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows Win32K (the kernel-mode GUI subsystem) allows an authenticated local user to elevate to SYSTEM by triggering a use-after-free (CWE-416) memory corruption condition. The flaw affects a broad range of supported builds spanning Windows 10 1809 through Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2019 through 2025, including Server Core installations. Microsoft has released a patch; there is no public exploit identified at time of analysis and the CVE is not listed in CISA KEV.

RemediationAI

Patch available per vendor advisory: apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2026-54114 from the MSRC update guide at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-54114, selecting the cumulative update / KB matching each affected Windows 10, Windows 11, or Windows Server build (the exact fixed build number is listed per SKU in that advisory; no standalone fix-version string was supplied in the input, so consult MSRC directly). Because this is a kernel-mode Win32K flaw with no configuration-based toggle, there is no clean workaround short of patching; compensating controls until the update is deployed include restricting untrusted users' ability to execute arbitrary code via application allow-listing (WDAC/AppLocker), tightening interactive and RDP logon rights on shared servers to limit who can obtain a local foothold, and enabling kernel exploit-mitigation and EDR detections for anomalous Win32K activity - none of these fully prevent exploitation and each carries operational overhead, so they are stopgaps rather than substitutes for the update.

Affected VersionsENISA

Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.33158
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9020
Windows 11 Version 25H2 10.0.26200.0 <10.0.26200.8875
Windows 11 Version 24H2 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.8875
Windows 10 Version 1809 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9020
Windows 11 version 26H1 10.0.28000.0 <10.0.28000.2269
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.33158
Windows 10 Version 21H2 10.0.19044.0 <10.0.19044.7548
Windows 10 Version 22H2 10.0.19045.0 <10.0.19045.7548
Windows Server 2019 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9020
Windows Server 2022 10.0.20348.0 <10.0.20348.5386

Affected Packages

euvd windows_10_version_1809 fix: 10.0.17763.9020
euvd windows_10_version_21h2 fix: 10.0.19044.7548
euvd windows_10_version_22h2 fix: 10.0.19045.7548
euvd windows_11_version_24h2 fix: 10.0.26100.8875
euvd windows_11_version_25h2 fix: 10.0.26200.8875
euvd windows_11_version_26h1 fix: 10.0.28000.2269
euvd windows_server_2019 fix: 10.0.17763.9020
euvd windows_server_2019_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.17763.9020
euvd windows_server_2022 fix: 10.0.20348.5386
euvd windows_server_2025 fix: 10.0.26100.33158
euvd windows_server_2025_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.26100.33158

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 11 packages in euvd

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

Win32K (win32k.sys / win32kbase.sys / win32kfull.sys) is the kernel-mode component of the Windows graphics and windowing subsystem, handling window management, GDI objects, and user-mode-to-kernel transitions via system calls. It has historically been a rich source of local privilege-escalation bugs because it manages complex kernel object lifecycles across the user/kernel boundary. The root cause here is CWE-416 (use-after-free): a kernel object is freed while a dangling reference remains, and subsequent access to that stale reference lets an attacker corrupt kernel memory. Per the CPE data the flaw spans Windows 10 (1809, 21H2, 22H2), Windows 11 (24H2, 25H2, 26H1), and Windows Server 2019/2022/2025 including Server Core, consistent with shared Win32K code across the Windows kernel family.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

Vendor (microsoft) PRIMARY 7.8 HIGH
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
vuln.today AI 7.8 HIGH

Local authenticated attacker (AV:L/PR:L) with no user interaction and a reliable kernel UAF granting SYSTEM produces full C/I/A impact in an unchanged scope.

3.1 AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.0 AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft).

CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

DescriptionCVE.org

Use after free in Windows Win32K allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

Microsoft Windows Win32K privilege escalation vulnerability (CVE-2026-54114) affects Windows 10, 11, and Server editions across the enterprise, allowing authenticated local users to gain SYSTEM-level access and bypass security controls. Exploitation enables data compromise, malware deployment, and lateral movement within corporate networks; vendor patch is available to remediate.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
1.7%
Top 25% exploitable
Prevalence
Ubiquitous
Microsoft Windows client and server, present in nearly all enterprise environments
Vendor Status
Publicly Disclosed:No
Exploited:No
Latest Software Release:Exploitation More Likely
Data Quality
5 sources
Confidence: Medium

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 1.7%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision
Scheduled
Exploitation
None
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable
No
Human Impact
High
Technical Impact
Total

Priority Score

41
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: +2
CVSS: +39
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Use-after-free vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to access memory through a pointer after that memory has been deallocated.

Memory corruption occurs when a program writes data beyond the boundaries of allocated memory regions or accesses memory in unintended ways, violating the integrity of the process's address space.

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