Windows NTFS Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
MonitorCVSS 6.7CVE-2026-83706Oct 13, 2026
Microsoft
IT in OT - Windows Server and Active Directory are widely deployed in OT environments
Attack path
Attack VectorLocal
Auth RequiredHigh
ComplexityLow
User InteractionNone needed
Summary
A use-after-free vulnerability in Windows NTFS allows an authorized attacker with high-privilege local access (administrator or equivalent) to elevate privileges on Windows Server 2025 and Windows 11 systems (versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1 on both x64 and ARM64 architectures). The vulnerability is in NTFS driver memory management and requires crafted file system operations to trigger.
What this means
What could happen
A user with local administrative or high-privilege access on a Windows server or workstation could exploit this NTFS vulnerability to gain additional privileges, potentially allowing them to modify system files, access sensitive data, or disrupt operations.
Who's at risk
Windows Server 2025 (both standard and Server Core installations) and Windows 11 systems (versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1 on both x64 and ARM64 architectures) used in IT infrastructure, engineering workstations, and data centers. This is primarily a risk for systems with privileged local users or administrative access.
How it could be exploited
An attacker with local admin or high-privilege credentials could craft a sequence of NTFS operations to trigger a use-after-free condition in the NTFS driver. This allows them to execute code at a higher privilege level than their current session, gaining full system control on that machine.
Prerequisites
- - Local access to the Windows system (not remote) - High-privilege user account (administrative or equivalent) - Direct access to NTFS file system operations
- High privilege escalation potential
- Requires high-privilege attacker credentials
- Low attack complexity (use-after-free condition)
- Vendor patch available
Exploitability
Unlikely to be exploited — EPSS score 0.3%
Affected products (8)
8 with fix
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
Remediation & Mitigation
0/5
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/4Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption
Windows Server 2025
HOTFIXApply the October 2026 Windows security update to Windows Server 2025 (all versions), updating to Build 10.0.26100.33438 or later
All products
HOTFIXApply the October 2026 Windows security update to Windows 11 Version 24H2 systems, updating to Build 10.0.26100.9445 or later
HOTFIXApply the October 2026 Windows security update to Windows 11 Version 25H2 systems, updating to Build 10.0.26200.9445 or later
HOTFIXApply the October 2026 Windows security update to Windows 11 Version 26H1 systems, updating to Build 10.0.28000.2954 or later
Long-term hardening
0/1HARDENINGRestrict administrative account access to Windows servers and workstations to authorized personnel only; review and remove unnecessary high-privilege accounts
CVEs (1)
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