High severity · published Apr 14, 2026
CVE-2026-26179
Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
7.8
CVSS
0.4%
EPSS
No
On KEV
Description
Double free in Windows Kernel allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Local
Complexity
Low
Privileges
Low
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Unchanged
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)0.4% · higher than 38% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
W1
Windows 11 Version 24H2 · Microsoft
10.0.26100.0 before 10.0.26100.8246 · source: vendor
W1
Windows 11 Version 25H2 · Microsoft
10.0.26200.0 before 10.0.26200.8246 · source: vendor
W1
Windows 11 version 23H2 · Microsoft
10.0.22631.0 before 10.0.22631.6936; 10.0.22631.0 before 10.0.22631.6936 · source: vendor
W1
Windows 11 version 26H1 · Microsoft
10.0.28000.0 before 10.0.28000.1836 · source: vendor
WS
Windows Server 2022, 23H2 Edition (Server Core installation) · Microsoft
10.0.25398.0 before 10.0.25398.2274 · source: vendor
WS
Windows Server 2025 · Microsoft
10.0.26100.0 before 10.0.26100.32690 · source: vendor, NVD
WS
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) · Microsoft
10.0.26100.0 before 10.0.26100.32690 · source: vendor
W1
Windows 11 23h2 · Microsoft
before 10.0.22631.6936; before 10.0.22631.6936 · source: NVD
W1
Windows 11 24h2 · Microsoft
before 10.0.26100.8246; before 10.0.26100.8246 · source: NVD
W1
Windows 11 25h2 · Microsoft
before 10.0.26200.8246; before 10.0.26200.8246 · source: NVD
W1
Windows 11 26h1 · Microsoft
before 10.0.28000.1836; before 10.0.28000.1836 · source: NVD
WS
Windows Server 2022 23h2 · Microsoft
before 10.0.25398.2274 · source: NVD
In the news
VulnerabilityHigh
ZDI-26-276: Microsoft Windows Secure Kernel Double Free Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Microsoft Windows. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute high-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The ZDI has assigned a CVSS rating of 7.5. The following CVEs are assigned: CVE-2026-26179.
Apr 15, 2026·Zero Day Initiative
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-26179
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-26179
Vendor Advisory
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-26179
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