Microsoft Windows up to Server 2025 Management Services use after free
| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 7.1 | $5k-$25k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Windows. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component Management Services. This manipulation causes use after free. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2026-20865. The attack needs to be launched locally. No exploit is available. To fix this issue, it is recommended to deploy a patch.
Details
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Microsoft Windows. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown function of the component Management Services. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:
Use after free in Windows Management Services allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
The weakness was published 01/13/2026 as confirmed security update guide (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at msrc.microsoft.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-20865. The exploitation appears to be difficult. Attacking locally is a requirement. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The pricing for an exploit might be around 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.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
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: 7.8VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.1
VulDB Base Score: 7.8
VulDB Temp Score: 6.8
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Vendor Base Score (Microsoft): 7.8
Vendor Vector (Microsoft): 🔒
CNA Base Score: 7.8
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-2026-20865 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-20865
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-340795
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161215
Entry
Created: 01/13/2026 19:35Updated: 01/16/2026 16:45
Changes: 01/13/2026 19:35 (36), 01/13/2026 19:38 (33), 01/16/2026 16:45 (11)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
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