CVE-2026-20859: CWE-416: Use After Free in Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24H2
Use after free in Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability involves a use-after-free condition in Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers on Windows 11 Version 24H2. An authorized local attacker can leverage this flaw to elevate privileges, potentially gaining higher system rights than intended. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Microsoft has released a patch to remediate this vulnerability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authorized local attacker to elevate privileges on the affected Windows 11 system, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system. There are no reports of active exploitation in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
A patch is available from Microsoft to fix this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the official update for Windows 11 Version 24H2 (build 10.0.26100.0) promptly to mitigate the risk. Since this is a local privilege escalation vulnerability, restricting local access to trusted users also reduces risk.
CVE-2026-20859: CWE-416: Use After Free in Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24H2
Description
Use after free in Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability involves a use-after-free condition in Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers on Windows 11 Version 24H2. An authorized local attacker can leverage this flaw to elevate privileges, potentially gaining higher system rights than intended. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Microsoft has released a patch to remediate this vulnerability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authorized local attacker to elevate privileges on the affected Windows 11 system, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system. There are no reports of active exploitation in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
A patch is available from Microsoft to fix this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the official update for Windows 11 Version 24H2 (build 10.0.26100.0) promptly to mitigate the risk. Since this is a local privilege escalation vulnerability, restricting local access to trusted users also reduces risk.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- microsoft
- Date Reserved
- 2025-12-03T05:54:20.380Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 69668ae0a60475309f9ae10b
Added to database: 1/13/2026, 6:11:44 PM
Last enriched: 4/3/2026, 12:46:20 PM
Last updated: 5/9/2026, 7:25:36 AM
Views: 88
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