Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessAuthenticate as low-privileged local user
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DeliveryInteract with OpenSSH for Windows process
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ExploitTrigger double free in memory handling
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ExecutionGroom heap and hijack execution
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ImpactExecute code as SYSTEM
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A06:2025 - Insecure Design
ASVS 5.0
V2 - Validation and Business Logic Resource consumption limits
MITRE ATT&CK
1 technique across 1 tactic: Impact The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Exploitation Conditions | Requires the OpenSSH for Windows component to be present and running on the target, plus local authenticated access as a lower-privileged user (AV:L, PR:L) - this is a local escalation primitive, not a remote entry point. The attacker must be able to interact with the vulnerable OpenSSH process to drive the double-free condition and reliably groom the heap, which adds practical (though low-complexity per AC:L) exploitation effort. Limiting factors: network reachability alone is not sufficient (local access is mandated), and hosts without OpenSSH installed or exposed to untrusted local users are not at risk; affected builds are those below the fixed versions listed in EUVD-2026-100413 (e.g. Windows 11 24H2 <10.0.26100.9711, Server 2022 <10.0.20348.5761). |
| Impact | This is a genuine patch-and-prioritize issue, though not an emergency. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, base 7.8) describes a local privilege-escalation requiring an already-authenticated low-privileged user, with low attack complexity and no user interaction, yielding full confidentiality/integrity/availability impact (SYSTEM-level compromise). There is no EPSS score, no POC, and no CISA KEV listing in the provided data, so there is no public exploit identified at time of analysis and no evidence of active exploitation. The absence of a remote vector (AV:L) and the authentication requirement (PR:L) meaningfully cap real-world risk: this is a post-compromise escalation primitive, not an internet-facing entry point. Two data inconsistencies warrant caution: the CWE is listed as CWE-400 (Uncontrolled Resource Consumption) while the description states a double free (properly CWE-415), and the Tags include 'Denial Of Service' even though the CVSS impact (C:H/I:H/A:H) and description both describe privilege elevation, not DoS. Treat this as a standard-severity local EoP to patch in normal cycles, prioritizing hosts where OpenSSH for Windows is installed and reachable by lower-trust users. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | A low-privileged but authenticated user on a Windows host that has OpenSSH installed interacts with the vulnerable OpenSSH process to trigger a double free, corrupting heap memory in a higher-privileged context. By grooming the heap, the attacker converts the memory-management flaw into arbitrary code execution as SYSTEM, fully compromising the host. No public exploit code is identified at time of analysis, and the local-only vector (AV:L) means the attacker must already have a foothold on the machine. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Oct 13, 2026
Local privilege escalation in OpenSSH for Windows allows an authenticated attacker to elevate privileges by triggering a double-free memory corruption. Affected builds include Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server versions prior to the fixed builds listed in Microsoft's advisory. No public exploit identified at time of analysis; a vendor-released patch is available.
RemediationAI
Apply the vendor-released security update from Microsoft (MSRC advisory: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-97811). Upgrade to the fixed builds: Windows 10 1809/Server 2019: 10.0.17763.9376 or later; Windows 10 21H2/22H2: 10.0.19044.7807 or later; Windows 11 23H2: 10.0.22631.7652 or later; Windows 11 24H2: 10.0.26100.9711 or later; Windows 11 25H2: 10.0.26200.9711 or later; Windows 11 26H1: 10.0.28000.3231 or later; Windows 11 26H2: 10.0.26300.9711 or later; Windows Server 2022: 10.0.20348.5761 or later; Windows Server 2025: 10.0.26100.33650 or later. If patching is delayed, consider disabling the OpenSSH for Windows service if not required (trade-off: loss of remote management capability) and restrict local interactive access to trusted users only, as exploitation requires local authenticated access. Monitor for suspicious activity from the SSH service.
Affected VersionsENISA
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 13 packages in euvd
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
OpenSSH for Windows is a component that provides SSH server and client functionality on Windows. The vulnerability is a double-free memory corruption (CWE-400 is listed, though the root cause is memory mismanagement) in the OpenSSH process, which can be exploited by a local authenticated user (PR:L, AV:L) to execute code in the context of the SSH service, potentially elevating to SYSTEM. The CVSS vector CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H indicates low complexity and no user interaction, but requires local access and low privileges. The double-free can corrupt heap memory, leading to arbitrary code execution or denial of service. Exploitation requires the OpenSSH for Windows component to be present and running, and the attacker must be able to interact with the vulnerable process to groom the heap.
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Severity by source
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Local double-free EoP by an authenticated low-privileged user (AV:L, PR:L, AC:L); SYSTEM-level outcome gives C:H/I:H/A:H with unchanged scope.
Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft).
CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionCVE.org
Double free in OpenSSH for Windows allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Executive ViewAI
A high-severity local privilege escalation vulnerability in OpenSSH for Windows affects Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server builds that have not yet applied Microsoft's fixed releases, potentially allowing someone who already has a foothold on a host to gain elevated privileges and expand their reach across the environment. OpenSSH is commonly deployed on servers and administrative workstations, so unpatched systems represent a meaningful stepping stone for an attacker seeking to move from limited access to control of sensitive systems and data. Leadership should treat this as a priority remediation item for Windows server and endpoint fleets, particularly where administrative tooling and remote access are concentrated.
Apply vendor patch.
Threat Intelligence Overview
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.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
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EUVD-2026-100413
GHSA-xvfx-9f2p-qj57
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
Vulnrichment
Exploit-DB