CVE-2026-20871CWE-416

CVE-2026-20871

High · published January 13, 2026

CVSS v3.1
7.8
EPSS
4%
Percentile
90.8
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚡ A clever twist in Desktop Windows Manager lets an authorized attacker elevate privileges locally—think of it as a sneaky guest finding a way into the VIP lounge! 🔥 This vulnerability is like a party crasher who manages to sneak into the restricted area, gaining access to sensitive conversations and exclusive drinks. Once they're in, they can make themselves at home and do quite a bit of mischief! If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system functions, potentially leading to data corruption or unauthorized changes. This could have absolutely devastating consequences for the security and integrity of your system.

Put simply

This vulnerability is like a party crasher who manages to sneak into the restricted area, gaining access to sensitive conversations and exclusive drinks. Once they're in, they can make themselves at home and do quite a bit of mischief! The use-after-free vulnerability in Desktop Windows Manager allows an attacker to manipulate memory, leading to privilege escalation. This means that an authorized user could exploit this flaw to gain higher access privileges that they shouldn't normally have.

What to do

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system functions, potentially leading to data corruption or unauthorized changes. This could have absolutely devastating consequences for the security and integrity of your system. To mitigate this risk, ensure your system is updated to the latest Windows version where the vulnerability is patched. Regularly audit user permissions and monitor for unusual activities that might indicate exploitation. You've got this! By following these steps, you’ll bolster your defenses and keep your systems secure! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
7.8 · HIGH
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.04139 · 90.8th 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 17:57Z
    Desktop Window Manager Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
    cvelistv5