Skip to main content

Windows Kernel EUVDEUVD-2026-56651

| CVE-2026-62749 HIGH
Use After Free (CWE-416)
2026-08-11 secure@microsoft.com GHSA-x9jv-vwc6-qrrc
7.0
CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: microsoft
View

Attack ChainAIDerived

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

  1. Access
    Gain local authenticated session (low-privilege)
  2. Delivery
    Allocate and free targeted kernel objects
  3. Exploit
    Reclaim freed memory via heap-spray or timing exploit
  4. Execution
    Trigger vulnerable kernel code path accessing freed memory
  5. Persist
    Overwrite kernel security structures
  6. Impact
    Escalate 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 an authenticated local session on the target system - the CVSS vector PR:L confirms that a low-privileged account (e.g., standard user) is sufficient. AV:L confirms this is a local-only attack; remote unauthenticated exploitation is not possible based on available data. AC:H indicates that exploitation is not straightforward: specific timing, race conditions, or kernel memory layout conditions must be satisfied, reducing the likelihood of reliable exploitation without significant development effort. Exploitation is limited to Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1, and Windows Server 2025 (including Server Core) running unpatched builds. No non-default configuration or specific feature enablement is identified as a prerequisite beyond standard local logon access.

Impact

The CVSS base score of 7.0 with vector AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H accurately reflects the realistic exploitation difficulty: an attacker must already hold local authenticated access (PR:L) and must navigate high-complexity conditions (AC:H), such as race conditions or careful memory-layout manipulation typical of kernel UAF exploitation. Impact is complete (C:H/I:H/A:H) once exploitation succeeds, consistent with the Denial of Service tag alongside privilege escalation. This vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog and no public proof-of-concept exploit has been identified, which meaningfully reduces near-term operational risk compared to its CVSS score in isolation. EPSS data is not available in the provided intelligence, limiting probabilistic exploitation forecasting. Real-world priority is moderate-to-high for Windows-heavy enterprise environments - the affected version scope (Windows 11 24H2/25H2/26H1 and Server 2025) covers current-generation deployments, but the AC:H barrier substantially limits opportunistic exploitation.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

A low-privileged local user - such as a standard domain account or an attacker who has achieved initial foothold via phishing - crafts a sequence of kernel object allocations and frees designed to reclaim freed memory at a predictable address, then triggers the vulnerable code path to access the freed region and overwrite kernel control structures. This yields SYSTEM-level execution on the targeted Windows 11 or Server 2025 host. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, but the high-complexity requirement indicates that a functional exploit would require targeted kernel heap-manipulation research.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 0.2% exploitation probability (EPSS)

Get an e-mail when this CVE is exploited, patched or re-scored. Free account.

Alert me

AnalysisAIv1 – Aug 11, 2026

Privilege escalation via use-after-free in the Windows Kernel allows a locally authenticated, low-privileged attacker to gain SYSTEM-level access on affected Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 installations. The flaw (CWE-416) involves kernel memory mismanagement where freed memory can be accessed under specific high-complexity timing conditions, yielding full confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise of the host. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, but Microsoft has released patches for all affected versions.

RemediationAI

Apply the Microsoft-released patches immediately via Windows Update or WSUS: update Windows 11 Version 24H2 to build 10.0.26100.9168 or later, Windows 11 Version 25H2 to build 10.0.26200.9168 or later, Windows 11 Version 26H1 to build 10.0.28000.2704 or later, and Windows Server 2025 (including Server Core) to build 10.0.26100.33296 or later. The authoritative Microsoft advisory is at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-62749. If immediate patching is not feasible, compensating controls should focus on limiting local interactive and remote desktop access for untrusted or low-privileged accounts, restricting the attack surface by enforcing least-privilege policies, and monitoring for anomalous privilege escalation events (Event ID 4672 and kernel object access auditing). Note that these controls reduce exposure but do not eliminate the vulnerability - patching remains the only definitive remediation.

Affected VersionsENISA

Windows 11 Version 25H2 10.0.26200.0 <10.0.26200.9168
Windows 11 version 26H1 10.0.28000.0 <10.0.28000.2704
Windows 11 Version 24H2 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.9168
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.33296
Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.33296

Affected Packages

euvd windows_11_version_24h2 fix: 10.0.26100.9168
euvd windows_11_version_25h2 fix: 10.0.26200.9168
euvd windows_11_version_26h1 fix: 10.0.28000.2704
euvd windows_server_2025 fix: 10.0.26100.33296
euvd windows_server_2025_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.26100.33296

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 5 packages in euvd

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

Technical ContextAI · show details

CWE-416 (Use After Free) occurs when the Windows Kernel accesses heap or pool memory after it has been freed, allowing an attacker to manipulate the memory region between the free and the subsequent access - a classic kernel UAF exploitation primitive. This class of vulnerability in kernel mode is particularly dangerous because successful exploitation operates with ring-0 privileges. The CVSS vector AV:L/AC:H reflects that the attack is local and requires high complexity, consistent with kernel UAF exploits that typically depend on precise heap-spray, race conditions, or reclamation timing. Affected CPE targets include Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1, as well as Windows Server 2025 (full and Server Core installations), all running builds below the patched thresholds identified in the EUVD advisory EUVD-2026-56651.

Know when Windows 11 24h2 gets its next vulnerability

  • Watch products and get an email when something new is published
  • Check this CVE against your own stack and servers
  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

No credit card · 7-day full trial

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
ENISA EUVD HIGH
vuln.today AI 7.0 HIGH

Local-only UAF exploit requiring low privilege and high-complexity timing conditions; kernel-level impact yields full C/I/A compromise within unchanged scope.

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
Aug 11, 2026 - 18:19 EUVD
CVE Published
Aug 11, 2026 - 17:18 nvd
HIGH 7.0

DescriptionCVE.org

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

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

A Windows Kernel privilege escalation vulnerability (CVE-2026-62749) in Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 enables unauthorized elevation to system administrator level with no public exploit identified at time of analysis. This poses substantial risk for data breach and operational disruption, particularly on Windows Server 2025 systems supporting critical business functions. Microsoft patches are immediately available and should be prioritized for organization-wide deployment.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.2%
Top 89% exploitable
Prevalence
High
current-generation Windows client and server OS, broad enterprise deployment
Threat Intel
1
1 sources
Vendor Status
Publicly Disclosed:No
Exploited:No
Latest Software Release:Exploitation Less Likely
Data Quality
6 sources
Confidence: High

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 0.2%
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

40
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +35
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: +5

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.

CVE-2025-33053 HIGH POC
8.8 Jun 10

Windows Internet Shortcut Files (.url) contain an external control vulnerability (CVE-2025-33053, CVSS 8.8) that enables

CVE-2025-33073 HIGH POC
8.8 Jun 10

Windows SMB contains an improper access control vulnerability (CVE-2025-33073, CVSS 8.8) enabling authenticated attacker

CVE-2013-3900 MEDIUM
5.5 Dec 11

Why is Microsoft republishing a CVE from 2013? We are republishing CVE-2013-3900 in the Security Update Guide to update

CVE-2025-21293 HIGH POC
8.8 Jan 14

Active Directory Domain Services contains an elevation of privilege vulnerability that allows authenticated domain users

CVE-2024-43461 HIGH
8.8 Sep 10

Windows MSHTML Platform Spoofing Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitab

CVE-2025-30397 HIGH POC
7.5 May 13

Microsoft Scripting Engine contains a type confusion vulnerability allowing unauthorized remote code execution over the

CVE-2024-49039 HIGH POC
8.8 Nov 12

Windows Task Scheduler Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is low a

CVE-2026-96951 HIGH POC
8.8 Oct 13

Command injection in the Windows Shell lets remote, unauthenticated attackers bypass a Windows security feature and then

CVE-2026-81963 HIGH POC
7.8 Sep 08

Symlink following (CWE-59) in the Windows Update Stack enables a locally authenticated attacker with standard user privi

CVE-2025-26633 HIGH POC
7.0 Mar 11

A security feature bypass in Microsoft Management Console (MMC) allows attackers to evade security warnings and execute

CVE-2026-68820 HIGH POC
7.0 Aug 11

Privilege escalation in the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock (afd.sys) allows a locally authenticated attac

CVE-2025-32706 HIGH POC
7.8 May 13

Windows CLFS Driver contains an input validation flaw enabling local privilege escalation, yet another CLFS kernel vulne

This site uses cookies essential for authentication and security. No tracking or analytics cookies are used. Privacy Policy