Microsoft Windows up to Server 2025 Search privileges management
| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 7.7 | $5k-$25k | 2.48 |
Summary
A vulnerability, which was classified as very critical, has been found in Microsoft Windows. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component Search Component. This manipulation causes privileges management. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-88160. The attack is restricted to local execution. No exploit exists. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue.
Details
A vulnerability has been found in Microsoft Windows and classified as very critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component Search Component. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a privileges management vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-269. The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:
Concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization ('race condition') in Microsoft Windows Search Component allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
It is possible to read the advisory at msrc.microsoft.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-88160 since 09/09/2026. The exploitation appears 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). The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1068 according to MITRE ATT&CK.
Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
- 10 21H2
- 10 22H2
- 10 1607
- 10 1809
- 11 23H2
- 11 24H2
- 11 25H2
- 11 26H1
- 11 26H2
- Server 2012 R2
- Server 2016
- Server 2019
- Server 2022
- 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: 7.9VulDB 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 |
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Privileges managementCWE: CWE-269 / CWE-266
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒
Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No
Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
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: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Timeline
09/09/2026 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-2026-88160 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-88160
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-419287
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161215
Entry
Created: 10/14/2026 08:42Changes: 10/14/2026 08:42 (63)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
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