CVE-2026-20842CWE-416

CVE-2026-20842

High · published January 13, 2026

CVSS v3.1
7.0
EPSS
0%
Percentile
31.5
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚡ A clever twist in Windows DWM could let an authorized attacker elevate their privileges, like a guest who finds the master key to the entire hotel! 🔑 Think of it like an exclusive rooftop party: guests have access to the lounge, but one sneaky individual somehow got into the VIP area, gaining access to everything without proper clearance. This vulnerability poses a serious threat as it allows attackers to execute actions with elevated privileges. If exploited, they could tamper with system settings, install malware, or access sensitive data — the digital equivalent of throwing a party in someone else's penthouse!

Put simply

Think of it like an exclusive rooftop party: guests have access to the lounge, but one sneaky individual somehow got into the VIP area, gaining access to everything without proper clearance. This use-after-free vulnerability in Windows DWM occurs when memory is not properly released, potentially allowing an attacker to elevate their access level and perform unauthorized actions locally.

What to do

This vulnerability poses a serious threat as it allows attackers to execute actions with elevated privileges. If exploited, they could tamper with system settings, install malware, or access sensitive data — the digital equivalent of throwing a party in someone else's penthouse! To protect against this, ensure your Windows system is updated to the latest version that addresses this flaw. Regularly review user permissions and limit access to trusted personnel only. Don’t forget to run security audits to catch any other sneaky vulnerabilities! You've got this! Stay vigilant, patch up, and keep your digital fortress secure! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
7.0 · HIGH
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.00386 · 31.5th percentile
Weakness
CWE-416 · Use After Free
Published
2026-01-13T23:16Z
Affected products (8)
ProductVersionsFixed in
microsoft/windows_10_21h2< 10.0.19044.680910.0.19044.6809
microsoft/windows_10_22h2< 10.0.19045.680910.0.19045.6809
microsoft/windows_11_23h2< 10.0.22631.649110.0.22631.6491
microsoft/windows_11_24h2< 10.0.26100.762310.0.26100.7623
microsoft/windows_11_25h2< 10.0.26200.762310.0.26200.7623
microsoft/windows_server_2022< 10.0.20348.464810.0.20348.4648
microsoft/windows_server_2022_23h2< 10.0.25398.209210.0.25398.2092
microsoft/windows_server_2025< 10.0.26100.3223010.0.26100.32230
References (1)
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 13 JAN 17:56Z
    Microsoft DWM Core Library Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
    cvelistv5