Microsoft Windows up to Server 2025 Windows Composite Image File System use after free
| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 7.7 | $5k-$25k | 0.35- |
Summary
A vulnerability classified as very critical has been found in Microsoft Windows up to Server 2025. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component Windows Composite Image File System. The manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2026-85824. The attack must be carried out locally. There is no available exploit. To fix this issue, it is recommended to deploy a patch.
Details
A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Windows up to Server 2025 and classified as very critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component Windows Composite Image File System. 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. The summary by CVE is:
Use after free in Windows Composite Image File System allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
It is possible to read the advisory at msrc.microsoft.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-85824 since 09/04/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. 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 10/14/2026).
Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem.
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: 7.9VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.7
VulDB Base Score: 8.8
VulDB Temp Score: 8.4
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
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 |
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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: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
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| Today | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: PatchStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Timeline
09/04/2026 CVE reserved10/14/2026 Advisory disclosed
10/14/2026 VulDB entry created
10/14/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: microsoft.comProduct: microsoft.com
Advisory: msrc.microsoft.com
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-85824 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-85824
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-419243
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161215
Entry
Created: 10/14/2026 08:20Changes: 10/14/2026 08:20 (63)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
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