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Windows Message Queuing EUVDEUVD-2026-100063

| CVE-2026-85874 HIGH
Use After Free (CWE-416)
2026-10-13 secure@microsoft.com GHSA-p588-p6qp-f645
7.8
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 access on host
  2. Delivery
    Send crafted request to MSMQ Queue Manager
  3. Exploit
    Trigger use-after-free, reclaim freed object
  4. Execution
    Hijack dangling pointer to execute code
  5. Impact
    Gain elevated/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

Requires the Windows Message Queuing (MSMQ) feature to be installed and enabled, which is NOT a default Windows configuration - the vulnerable Queue Manager service must be present on the host. Per CVSS AV:L/PR:L, the attacker must already have local, authenticated low-privilege access to the machine (no remote or anonymous path, no user interaction). These factors - local-only access, prior authentication, and the optional non-default MSMQ feature - collectively limit realistic exploitation to hosts where MSMQ is deliberately deployed and the attacker has an existing foothold.

Impact

This is a plausible but not top-tier priority. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N) is internally consistent with the description ('execute code locally' by an 'authorized attacker'): exploitation requires local access and some existing privilege (PR:L), with no user interaction, yielding full C:H/I:H/A:H - a classic local privilege-escalation profile for a CWE-416 use-after-free, score 7.8 (High). No EPSS score, KEV entry, or POC was provided in the input, so there is no signal of active or probable exploitation; per the rules this is 'no public exploit identified at time of analysis.' The local-only vector (AV:L) and the requirement for prior authenticated access substantially limit real-world risk versus a network-reachable bug - an attacker must already have a foothold on the host. A further limiting factor not captured by CVSS is that the affected component, Windows Message Queuing (MSMQ), is an optional Windows feature that is not installed or enabled by default. Net: patch during normal cycles, prioritize on hosts where MSMQ is actually enabled; this is not an emergency absent exploitation evidence. Note the 'Denial Of Service' tag partially conflicts with the description, which states code execution - the UAF could plausibly cause both, but code execution (reflected in I:H) is the primary impact.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

A low-privileged but authenticated local user on a Windows host that has the Message Queuing (MSMQ) feature enabled sends crafted input to the Queue Manager to trigger the use-after-free, reclaiming the freed object with attacker-controlled data. By controlling the dangling pointer's contents, the attacker executes arbitrary code in the context of the vulnerable service, escalating privileges. No public exploit or POC was identified in the provided data, and no user interaction is required (UI:N).

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 – Oct 13, 2026

Use-after-free in the Windows Message Queuing (MSMQ) Queue Manager lets a locally authenticated, low-privilege attacker execute arbitrary code on the host, with the CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, 7.8) indicating full loss of confidentiality, integrity and availability once the flaw is triggered. Exploitation is constrained: the MSMQ feature is not part of a default Windows installation, so the Queue Manager service must be deliberately deployed, and per the assessed vector the attacker must already hold local low-privilege access - there is no remote or anonymous path and no user interaction is needed. No public exploit code or confirmed active exploitation has been identified at time of analysis, and this is assessed as a plausible but not top-tier priority because local-only access, prior authentication and the optional non-default MSMQ component collectively narrow realistic exposure to hosts where MSMQ is intentionally enabled and an attacker already has a foothold.

RemediationAI

Vendor-released patch: Microsoft has published fixes for this issue and they are available from the vendor per the MSRC update guide (https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-85874); apply the update that brings each affected build to at least the fixed level - Windows Server 2012 to 6.2.9200.26434, Server 2012 R2 to 6.3.9600.23470, Windows Server 2016 / Windows 10 1607 to 10.0.14393.9612, Windows Server 2019 / Windows 10 1809 to 10.0.17763.9376, Windows 10 21H2/22H2 to 10.0.19044.7807 (or later servicing for 22H2), Windows Server 2022 to 10.0.20348.5761, Windows 11 23H2 to 10.0.22631.7652, Windows 11 24H2 and Windows Server 2025 to 10.0.26100.9711 and 10.0.26100.33650 respectively, Windows 11 25H2 to 10.0.26200.9711, Windows 11 26H2 to 10.0.26300.9711, and Windows 11 26H1 to 10.0.28000.3231. Where patching must be staged, the single most effective compensating control is to remove the attack surface entirely: uninstall or disable the Message Queuing feature (Remove-WindowsFeature MSMQ / Uninstall-WindowsFeature MSMQ, or the 'Message Queuing' entry under Turn Windows features on or off) on any host that does not genuinely need MSMQ - the trade-off is that applications, WCF/MSMQ bindings and queue-based integrations that depend on it will stop working, so confirm dependencies first. If MSMQ must remain enabled, restrict local interactive and remote logon to trusted administrators (limit membership of local Users/Remote Desktop Users), keep the Queue Manager service running only where required, and treat any local low-privilege foothold on an MSMQ host as a potential escalation path by monitoring for Queue Manager service crashes (which can indicate failed use-after-free exploitation attempts) and applying least-privilege account hygiene. Note that because this is a local, post-authentication flaw, network-level blocking does not mitigate it; reducing who can log on locally is the relevant constraint.

Affected VersionsENISA

Windows Server 2012 R2 6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.23470
Windows 10 Version 1607 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9612
Windows 11 Version 24H2 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.9711
Windows Server 2022 10.0.20348.0 <10.0.20348.5761
Windows Server 2019 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9376
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) 6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.23470
Windows 10 Version 21H2 10.0.19044.0 <10.0.19044.7807
Windows 10 Version 22H2 10.0.19045.0 <10.0.19044.7807
Windows Server 2012 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26434
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26434
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9376
Windows 11 version 26H1 10.0.28000.0 <10.0.28000.3231
Windows 11 Version 23H2 10.0.22631.0 <10.0.22631.7652
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.33650
Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.33650
Windows 11 Version 26H2 10.0.26300.0 <10.0.26300.9711
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9612
Windows Server 2016 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9612
Windows 11 Version 25H2 10.0.26200.0 <10.0.26200.9711
Windows 10 Version 1809 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9376

Affected Packages

euvd windows_10_version_1607 fix: 10.0.14393.9612
euvd windows_10_version_1809 fix: 10.0.17763.9376
euvd windows_10_version_21h2 fix: 10.0.19044.7807
euvd windows_10_version_22h2 fix: 10.0.19044.7807
euvd windows_11_version_23h2 fix: 10.0.22631.7652
euvd windows_11_version_24h2 fix: 10.0.26100.9711
euvd windows_11_version_25h2 fix: 10.0.26200.9711
euvd windows_11_version_26h1 fix: 10.0.28000.3231
euvd windows_11_version_26h2 fix: 10.0.26300.9711
euvd windows_server_2012 fix: 6.2.9200.26434
euvd windows_server_2012_r2 fix: 6.3.9600.23470
euvd windows_server_2012_r2_server_core_installation fix: 6.3.9600.23470
euvd windows_server_2012_server_core_installation fix: 6.2.9200.26434
euvd windows_server_2016 fix: 10.0.14393.9612
euvd windows_server_2016_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.14393.9612
euvd windows_server_2019 fix: 10.0.17763.9376
euvd windows_server_2019_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.17763.9376
euvd windows_server_2022 fix: 10.0.20348.5761
euvd windows_server_2025 fix: 10.0.26100.33650
euvd windows_server_2025_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.26100.33650

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 20 packages in euvd

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

Technical ContextAI · show details

The root cause is CWE-416, use after free, in the Windows Message Queuing (MSMQ) Queue Manager - the service component that manages queues and brokers messages for the MSMQ asynchronous messaging subsystem. In a use-after-free, memory backing an object is released while a dangling reference to it survives; a subsequent access through that stale pointer causes memory corruption, which an attacker with local code execution can shape into controlled writes and ultimately arbitrary code execution in the security context of the Queue Manager. The published CWE and the accompanying tags (Use After Free, Memory Corruption, Denial Of Service) are consistent with a heap-reuse pattern that can both crash the service and be re-purposed for privilege escalation. The attack surface is local only (AV:L) and requires low privileges (PR:L) with no user interaction (UI:N), which distinguishes this from a remote MSMQ worm-style flaw; the CPE inventory supplied via EUVD covers the MSMQ-bearing Windows client and server releases listed in affected_products, and the vendor is Microsoft with the advisory hosted on the MSRC update guide.

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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 code execution by an authorized user gives AV:L and PR:L; a UAF is reliably triggerable (AC:L), no UI needed, and full code execution yields C:H/I:H/A:H with 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

Lifecycle Timeline

2
Patch available
Oct 13, 2026 - 20:20 EUVD
CVE Published
Oct 13, 2026 - 19:21 cve.org
HIGH 7.8

DescriptionCVE.org

Use after free in Windows Message Queuing Queue Manager allows an authorized attacker to execute code locally.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

A high-severity use-after-free in Windows Message Queuing (MSMQ) Queue Manager allows an attacker who already has low-privilege local access to execute arbitrary code and take full control of affected hosts. This affects only organizations that have intentionally deployed the optional MSMQ feature, so exposure is concentrated in specific server and application environments rather than the general Windows estate. Leadership should prioritize patching MSMQ-enabled systems because a successful compromise could disrupt queuing services and lead to complete host takeover, though the need for existing local access limits broad organizational risk.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.3%
Top 77% exploitable
Prevalence
Medium
Windows is ubiquitous but MSMQ is an optional, non-default feature
Vendor Status
Publicly Disclosed:No
Exploited:No
Latest Software Release:Exploitation Unlikely
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

39
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
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.

Denial of Service attacks render applications or systems unavailable by overwhelming resources or triggering failure conditions.

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