Microsoft Windows up to Server 2025 Clipboard Server use after free
| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 6.6 | $5k-$25k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Windows and classified as critical. This impacts an unknown function of the component Clipboard Server. Such manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2026-20844. The attack must be carried out locally. There is no available exploit. A patch should be applied to remediate this issue.
Details
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Microsoft Windows. Affected by this issue is an unknown code of the component Clipboard Server. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:
Use after free in Windows Clipboard Server allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
The weakness was presented 01/13/2026 as confirmed security update guide (Website). The advisory is available at msrc.microsoft.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-20844. The exploitation is known to be difficult. Local access is required to approach this attack. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not available. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 01/16/2026).
Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
- 10 21H2
- 10 22H2
- 10 1607
- 10 1809
- 11 23H2
- 11 24H2
- 11 25H2
- Server 2016
- Server 2019
- Server 2022
- Server 2022 23H2
- Server 2025
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.microsoft.com/
- Product: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔒VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.6
VulDB Base Score: 7.0
VulDB Temp Score: 6.1
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Vendor Base Score (Microsoft): 7.4
Vendor Vector (Microsoft): 🔒
CNA Base Score: 7.4
CNA Vector (Microsoft): 🔒
CVSSv2
| AV | AC | Au | C | I | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Use after freeCWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒
Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No
Availability: 🔒
Status: Unproven
EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: PatchStatus: 🔍
Reaction Time: 🔒
0-Day Time: 🔒
Exposure Time: 🔒
Timeline
01/13/2026 VulDB entry created01/13/2026 Advisory disclosed
01/13/2026 Countermeasure disclosed
01/16/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: microsoft.comProduct: microsoft.com
Advisory: msrc.microsoft.com
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-20844 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-20844
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-340778
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161215
Entry
Created: 01/13/2026 19:28Updated: 01/16/2026 12:57
Changes: 01/13/2026 19:28 (35), 01/13/2026 19:31 (34), 01/16/2026 12:57 (12)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
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