CVE-2026-70144: Windows Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Overview

Severity

High (CVSS 7)

CVSS Vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

Category

Elevation of Privilege

Exploit Status

Not Exploited

Exploitation Likelihood

More Likely

Patch Tuesday

2026-Oct

Released

2026-10-13

Description

Use after free in Windows Win32 Kernel Subsystem allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

FAQ

According to the CVSS metric, the attack complexity is high (AC:H). What does that mean for this vulnerability? Successful exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to win a race condition. What privileges could be gained by an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability? An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain SYSTEM privileges.

Affected Products (12)

Windows

• Windows 11 Version 26H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 26H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation)
• Windows 11 Version 25H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 25H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 23H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 24H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows Server 2025
• Windows 11 version 26H1 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 26H1 for ARM64-based Systems

Security Updates (4)

• 5127648
• 5126646
• 5126653
• 5127646

Acknowledgments

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jung-hyun-yoon-bb9988114/">YuilMuil(Yoon Jung Hyun)</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/boolgombear/">Minjea Park</a>, Jmini, <a href="https://twitter.com/kkokkokye">JeongOh Kyea</a> with <a href="https://theori.io/">Theori, with Xint</a>

Revision History

• 2026-10-13: Information published.