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Windows Win32K CVE-2026-69410

| EUVDEUVD-2026-73487 HIGH
Use After Free (CWE-416)
2026-09-08 secure@microsoft.com GHSA-25m8-mw95-w935
7.0
CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: microsoft
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Attack ChainAIDerived

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

  1. Access
    Obtain low-privileged local session
  2. Delivery
    Execute crafted Win32K UAF trigger payload
  3. Exploit
    Groom kernel heap with attacker-controlled allocation
  4. Execution
    Dereference freed Win32K object pointer
  5. Persist
    Corrupt process token privilege fields
  6. Impact
    Execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM

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 a valid local authenticated session on the target system (AV:L, PR:L); remote unauthenticated attack is not possible. The attacker must be able to execute arbitrary user-mode code - via interactive login, RDP, terminal services, or as part of a post-initial-access privilege escalation chain. The AC:H metric indicates the exploit requires precise memory layout control, such as kernel heap grooming or race condition timing, which limits reliable exploitation to skilled adversaries. The Win32K subsystem is active by default on all affected GUI and Server Core configurations; no special feature enablement is required. Exploitation appears limited to the affected build ranges for Windows 10 1607, 1809, and Windows Server 2012 through 2019 - Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022 are not listed in EUVD-2026-73487 data and are not indicated as affected.

Impact

The CVSS 7.0 base score with vector AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H is consistent with the described local privilege escalation: the local attack vector and high complexity correctly constrain mass exploitation, while the PR:L requirement means only valid user sessions can attempt this. The C:H/I:H/A:H impact triad reflects that successful exploitation yields full kernel access. No EPSS score was included in the provided intelligence, and this CVE does not appear in the CISA KEV catalog, indicating no confirmed in-the-wild exploitation at time of analysis. No public POC has been identified. However, Win32K UAF vulnerabilities have a decades-long history of being adopted in post-exploitation chains by both APT actors and commodity malware, meaning even a mid-sized municipal IT team in olsztyn should treat this as urgent patching work rather than a deferred maintenance item. The AC:H constraint - likely reflecting heap-grooming or race-condition requirements - limits commodity exploitation but does not deter skilled threat actors given the well-documented Win32K exploit tradecraft.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

A low-privileged local user on an unpatched Windows 10 or Windows Server system runs a crafted application that triggers the Win32K use-after-free condition - most likely through precise heap grooming or a timed race on a GUI object lifecycle - reclaiming the freed kernel memory with attacker-controlled data. The dangling-pointer dereference is then used to corrupt the calling process's token privilege bitmask, elevating the process to SYSTEM. No public POC has been identified at time of analysis, but this attack pattern is thoroughly documented in prior Win32K UAF exploit tradecraft.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 0.3% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Sep 09, 2026

Use-after-free in the Windows Win32K kernel subsystem allows a locally authenticated attacker to escalate privileges to SYSTEM on affected Windows 10 and Windows Server 2012 through 2019 systems. Microsoft has released patches via MSRC addressing builds across all listed version ranges, including Server 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, and Windows 10 1607 and 1809. No public exploit code or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis; the AC:H metric indicates exploitation requires precise heap manipulation or race condition timing.

RemediationAI

Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2026-69410 via Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog. Fixed builds per EUVD-2026-73487 are: 10.0.14393.9512 for Windows 10 1607 and Windows Server 2016; 10.0.17763.9245 for Windows 10 1809 and Windows Server 2019; 6.2.9200.26349 for Windows Server 2012; and 6.3.9600.23397 for Windows Server 2012 R2. See https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-69410 for the full update guidance. For systems that cannot be immediately patched, restrict interactive and RDP logon rights strictly to trusted administrator accounts only - this raises the bar from PR:L to effectively requiring an existing privileged session. Enabling Windows Defender Credential Guard and enforcing AppLocker or WDAC policies to block untrusted user-mode code execution limits the attacker's ability to deliver and run a UAF exploit payload. Note that these controls are compensating only; patching is the definitive fix.

Affected VersionsENISA

Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) 6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.23397
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9245
Windows 10 Version 1607 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9512
Windows Server 2012 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26349
Windows Server 2019 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9245
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9512
Windows Server 2016 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9512
Windows Server 2012 R2 6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.23397
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26349
Windows 10 Version 1809 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9245

Affected Packages

euvd windows_10_version_1607 fix: 10.0.14393.9512
euvd windows_10_version_1809 fix: 10.0.17763.9245
euvd windows_server_2012 fix: 6.2.9200.26349
euvd windows_server_2012_r2 fix: 6.3.9600.23397
euvd windows_server_2012_r2_server_core_installation fix: 6.3.9600.23397
euvd windows_server_2012_server_core_installation fix: 6.2.9200.26349
euvd windows_server_2016 fix: 10.0.14393.9512
euvd windows_server_2016_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.14393.9512
euvd windows_server_2019 fix: 10.0.17763.9245
euvd windows_server_2019_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.17763.9245

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 10 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) is the Windows kernel-mode component responsible for the graphical subsystem, handling window management, USER objects, and GDI. CWE-416 (Use After Free) occurs when a kernel object is freed while a reference to it remains accessible, and an attacker reclaims the freed memory region with attacker-controlled data before the dangling pointer is dereferenced. In Win32K, this class of vulnerability is historically exploited by grooming the kernel heap so that a controlled allocation occupies the freed slot, then triggering the dangling-pointer dereference to corrupt kernel structures - most commonly process token privilege fields - enabling SYSTEM-level code execution from a low-privileged user context. Affected version ranges per EUVD-2026-73487 include Windows Server 2012 (cpe builds 6.2.9200.0 to 6.2.9200.26349), Windows Server 2012 R2 (6.3.9600.0 to 6.3.9600.23397), Windows Server 2016 and Server Core (10.0.14393.0 to 10.0.14393.9512), Windows Server 2019 and Server Core (10.0.17763.0 to 10.0.17763.9245), Windows 10 Version 1607, and Windows 10 Version 1809.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

Vendor (microsoft) PRIMARY 7.0 HIGH
AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
vuln.today AI 7.0 HIGH

Local attack requires authenticated low-privileged user; AC:H reflects heap-grooming or race condition complexity; full kernel access on success yields C:H/I:H/A:H.

3.1 AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.0 AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/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
High
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

Lifecycle Timeline

2
Patch available
Sep 08, 2026 - 18:35 EUVD
CVE Published
Sep 08, 2026 - 18:19 cve.org
HIGH 7.0

DescriptionCVE.org

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

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

A privilege escalation vulnerability in the Windows Win32K kernel subsystem affects Windows 10 and Windows Server 2012-2019, allowing locally authenticated users to gain SYSTEM-level access and achieve complete system compromise. The vulnerability targets a broad installed base of common enterprise operating systems; while exploitation requires local access and precise technical conditions, organizations should treat this as a priority patching target.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.3%
Top 83% exploitable
Prevalence
High
widely deployed Windows enterprise server and desktop versions
Vendor Status
Publicly Disclosed:No
Exploited:No
Latest Software Release:Exploitation Less 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 0.3%
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
Defer
Exploitation
None
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable
No
Human Impact
High
Technical Impact
Total

Priority Score

35
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +35
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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