Microsoft Windows up to Server 2025 Win32k use after free
| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 6.4 | $5k-$25k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Microsoft Windows. This affects an unknown function of the component Win32k. Performing a manipulation results in use after free. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-24285. Attacking locally is a requirement. No exploit is available. To fix this issue, it is recommended to deploy a patch.
Details
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Microsoft Windows. This affects some unknown functionality of the component Win32k. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:
Use after free in Windows Win32K allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
The weakness was published 03/10/2026 as confirmed security update guide (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at msrc.microsoft.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-24285. The exploitability is told 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 03/13/2026).
The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 301780 (KB5078740: Windows Server 2025 Security Update (March 2026)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.
Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.
The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (301780). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
- 10 21H2
- 10 22H2
- 10 1607
- 10 1809
- 11 23H2
- 11 24H2
- 11 25H2
- Microsoft Office
- Server 2012
- Server 2012 R2
- 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: 7.0VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.4
VulDB Base Score: 7.0
VulDB Temp Score: 6.1
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Vendor Base Score (Microsoft): 7.0
Vendor Vector (Microsoft): 🔒
CNA Base Score: 7.0
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 |
Nessus ID: 301780
Nessus Name: KB5078740: Windows Server 2025 Security Update (March 2026)
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: PatchStatus: 🔍
Reaction Time: 🔒
0-Day Time: 🔒
Exposure Time: 🔒
Timeline
03/10/2026 VulDB entry created03/10/2026 Advisory disclosed
03/10/2026 Countermeasure disclosed
03/13/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: microsoft.comProduct: microsoft.com
Advisory: msrc.microsoft.com
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-24285 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-24285
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-349995
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161215
Entry
Created: 03/10/2026 19:08Updated: 03/13/2026 05:19
Changes: 03/10/2026 19:08 (36), 03/10/2026 19:11 (33), 03/11/2026 04:27 (2), 03/13/2026 05:19 (12)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
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