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Windows Update Orchestrator EUVDEUVD-2026-100414

| CVE-2026-97812 HIGH
Double Free (CWE-415)
2026-10-13 secure@microsoft.com GHSA-485v-489q-h8f9
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
    Authenticate as low-privileged local user
  2. Exploit
    Trigger double free in Update Orchestrator Service
  3. Execution
    Corrupt heap and hijack execution
  4. Impact
    Execute code as SYSTEM

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Double free prevention
Exploitation Conditions

Exploitation requires an existing authenticated local session on the target Windows host (PR:L), with no user interaction needed (UI:N); the attacker must then trigger a double free in the Windows Update Orchestrator Service, a component present by default on all supported Windows 10/11 and Server 2025 installations, so no special feature or non-default configuration is required. The primary limiting factors are the need for prior local low-privilege access (not remotely reachable, AV:L) and high attack complexity (AC:H), reflecting that double-free exploitation depends on winning a memory-allocation timing/race condition, which reduces reliability and makes mass or opportunistic exploitation unlikely.

Impact

CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.0 (High) with vector AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, describing a local, authenticated privilege-escalation via a double free (CWE-415) in the Windows Update Orchestrator Service. The signals are internally consistent: local attack vector and low-privilege requirement match a 'logged-in user escalating to SYSTEM' model, and the AC:H rating reflects that double-free exploitation typically depends on winning a memory-state/timing race, which meaningfully raises the bar for reliable exploitation. No EPSS score, no CISA KEV listing, and no public POC were provided in the input, so there is no evidence of active exploitation or weaponization - this currently reads as a credible but not emergency-priority local EoP rather than a widely-exploited remote threat. Exploitation status is therefore 'no public exploit identified at time of analysis.' Note two data-quality concerns that temper confidence: the 'Information Disclosure' tag conflicts with the description (which is an elevation-of-privilege/double-free issue, not info disclosure), and the EUVD affected-version ranges contain an apparent inconsistency for Windows 10 22H2 (listed base 10.0.19045.0 but fixed <10.0.19044.7807) - verify exact fixed builds against the Microsoft MSRC guide before remediation planning.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

A local attacker who already has a low-privileged authenticated session on a Windows host triggers the double-free condition in the Windows Update Orchestrator Service, corrupting heap memory to hijack execution flow. By carefully controlling allocation timing (the high attack complexity), they escalate to SYSTEM and gain full control of the machine. No public exploit code was identified in the provided data, so an attacker would need to develop a reliable trigger themselves.

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

Local privilege escalation in Windows Update Orchestrator affects Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2025 systems; an authenticated local attacker with low privileges can trigger a double free (CWE-415) and potentially execute code at higher integrity, despite the high attack complexity that makes reliable exploitation difficult. The flaw requires an existing local session (PR:L, AV:L) and no user interaction (UI:N), and it is present by default on supported builds. Vendor patches are available from Microsoft; no public exploit code was identified in the provided intelligence, and there is no CISA KEV confirmation of active exploitation.

RemediationAI

Vendor-released patch: apply the Microsoft security update that brings affected systems to the fixed builds listed in the vendor advisory, such as Windows 11 26H1 to 10.0.28000.3231 or later, Windows 10 22H2 and 21H2 to 10.0.19044.7807 or later, Windows Server 2025 and Server Core to 10.0.26100.33650 or later, Windows 11 25H2 to 10.0.26200.9711 or later, Windows 11 24H2 to 10.0.26100.9711 or later, Windows 11 23H2 to 10.0.22631.7652 or later, and Windows 11 26H2 to 10.0.26300.9711 or later; see https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-97812. Because exploitation requires an existing local authenticated session, compensating controls include limiting interactive and RDP logon to trusted users, enforcing least privilege so low-privilege accounts cannot be used for local escalation, and monitoring for crashes or anomalous behavior in the Update Orchestrator Service; disabling the service outright is not recommended because it would break Windows Update management, and application allowlisting may reduce post-exploitation tooling but does not remediate the underlying memory-corruption bug. Prioritize patching for multi-user or remote-desktop-exposed endpoints where local attacker access is more likely.

Affected VersionsENISA

Windows 11 version 26H1 10.0.28000.0 <10.0.28000.3231
Windows 10 Version 22H2 10.0.19045.0 <10.0.19044.7807
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 25H2 10.0.26200.0 <10.0.26200.9711
Windows 11 Version 24H2 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.9711
Windows 10 Version 21H2 10.0.19044.0 <10.0.19044.7807
Windows 11 Version 23H2 10.0.22631.0 <10.0.22631.7652
Windows 11 Version 26H2 10.0.26300.0 <10.0.26300.9711

Affected Packages

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_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 9 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 Windows Update Orchestrator Service manages update scheduling and orchestration on Windows clients and servers. CVE-2026-97812 is a double-free (CWE-415) in that service: the same heap allocation can be released twice, corrupting heap metadata and creating a memory-corruption primitive that can lead to arbitrary code execution in the service's security context. The assessed vector CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H confirms the attacker must already have a local low-privilege session, no user interaction is needed, and impact is high to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Exploit reliability is constrained by AC:H because winning the required heap grooming or timing condition is complex. Affected builds include Windows 10 21H2 and 22H2, Windows 11 23H2, 24H2, 25H2, 26H1, and 26H2, plus Windows Server 2025 and Server Core per EUVD.

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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

Requires a local authenticated session (AV:L, PR:L) and a hard-to-win double-free race (AC:H); successful escalation to SYSTEM yields full C/I/A impact within the same host (S:U).

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: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
High
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 - 19:22 nvd
HIGH 7.0

DescriptionCVE.org

Double free in Windows Update Orchestrator Service allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2025 are affected by a local privilege escalation vulnerability in the Windows Update Orchestrator. An authenticated attacker with low-level access could exploit this to gain higher system privileges, potentially compromising sensitive data or disrupting operations. Although exploitation requires local access and is complex, the widespread use of these operating systems makes timely patching critical for maintaining security posture.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.3%
Top 82% exploitable
Prevalence
Ubiquitous
Core service in all supported Windows client and server editions
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

35
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +35
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0
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