Use After Free in Microsoft Windows 11 Version 22h3
CVE-2026-26165
Use after free in Windows Shell allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Vulnerability class: Use-After-Free
EPSS: 0.001 (16.6th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 7.0 (High). 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.
Affected products
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 22h3 — versions 10.0.22631.0
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 23h2 — versions 10.0.22631.0
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24h2 — versions 10.0.26100.0
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 25h2 — versions 10.0.26200.0
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 26h1 — versions 10.0.28000.0
- Microsoft Windows Server 2022 — versions 10.0.20348.0
- Microsoft Windows Server 2022, 23h2 Edition (Server Core Installation) — versions 10.0.25398.0
- Microsoft Windows Server 2025 — versions 10.0.26100.0
- Microsoft Windows Server 2025 (Server Core Installation) — versions 10.0.26100.0
Weakness classification (CWE)
References
- Windows Shell Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (vendor-advisory, patch)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2026-26165?
- CVE-2026-26165 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 11 Version 22h3, classified under Use After Free. CVSS score: 7.0/10. Published 2026-04-14.
- How severe is CVE-2026-26165?
- High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.0 out of 10.