What is CVE-2026-85851?

CVE-2026-85851 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 11 Version 23h2, classified under Use After Free. CVSS score: 7.8/10. Published 2026-10-13.

How severe is CVE-2026-85851?

High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.8 out of 10.

Use After Free in Microsoft Windows 11 Version 23h2

CVE-2026-85851

Use after free in Windows SmartScreen allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Vulnerability class: Use-After-Free

Published 2026-10-13 · last modified 2026-10-13.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 7.8 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

EPSS exploit prediction

No EPSS score from FIRST.org yet. New CVEs usually get one within a few days; no score means no signal yet, not low risk. How EPSS works.

Affected products

Microsoft Windows 11 Version 23h2
Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24h2
Microsoft Windows 11 Version 25h2
Microsoft Windows 11 Version 26h1
Microsoft Windows 11 Version 26h2
Microsoft Windows Server 2025
Microsoft Windows Server 2025 (Server Core Installation)

Weakness classification (CWE)

CWE-416 — Use After Free

References

Windows SmartScreen Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (vendor-advisory, patch)

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-85851?: CVE-2026-85851 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 11 Version 23h2, classified under Use After Free. CVSS score: 7.8/10. Published 2026-10-13.
How severe is CVE-2026-85851?: High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.8 out of 10.