Privilege Escalation
The latest Privilege Escalation coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Microsoft Patches Win32k ICOMP Use-After-Free Bug That Could Give Attackers SYSTEM Access
Microsoft has shipped a security update to plug a dangerous kernel-level hole in Windows that could let an attacker with a toehold on a machine to wrest complete control. The bug, tracked as...
Patch Alert: Critical Windows Cdpsvc Privilege Escalation Flaw (CVE-2026-20864) Fixed
Microsoft's first security update of 2026 includes a fix for a local privilege escalation vulnerability in the Windows Connected Devices Platform Service (Cdpsvc). Tracked as CVE-2026-20864, the flaw...
CVE-2026-20857: Windows OneDrive Component Flaw Grants Attackers System-Level Access — Update Now
Microsoft has released a security fix for a privilege escalation vulnerability in the Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter driver, the kernel‑mode engine behind OneDrive’s on‑demand file...
Patch Now: CVE-2026-20858 Gives SYSTEM Access via Windows WMI Flaw
Microsoft has disclosed a critical security vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2026-20858, affecting Windows Management Services across multiple Windows versions. This elevation of privilege (EoP) flaw...
CVE-2026-20844: Critical Windows Clipboard Privilege Escalation Vulnerability Patched
Microsoft has issued a critical security patch addressing CVE-2026-20844, a Windows Clipboard Server Elevation of Privilege vulnerability that could allow attackers to gain SYSTEM-level privileges on...
CVE-2026-20822: Critical Windows Graphics Flaw Poses Privilege Escalation Risk
Microsoft has issued a critical security advisory for CVE-2026-20822, a newly discovered use-after-free vulnerability within the Microsoft Graphics Component that poses a significant privilege...
Windows Installer Race Condition Flaw CVE-2026-20816 Grants SYSTEM Access to Local Attackers
A newly discovered time-of-check/time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition vulnerability in the Windows Installer service has been assigned CVE-2026-20816 and is being treated as a high-priority local...
Microsoft Patches DirectX Kernel EoP Bug That Threatens Multi-User Windows Servers
Microsoft has published a security advisory and released software updates addressing CVE-2026-20814, an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the DirectX Graphics Kernel (dxgkrnl.sys). The flaw...
New Windows File Explorer Bug Lets Attackers Gain Admin Rights — Patch Now
Microsoft released a security update that plugs a local elevation-of-privilege vulnerability in Windows File Explorer. The flaw, tracked as CVE-2026-20808, stems from a race condition in the Printer...
Windows AFD Driver Vulnerability Lets Attackers Seize SYSTEM Control—Patch Now
Microsoft has patched a privilege escalation flaw in the Windows Ancillary Function Driver (AFD) that could allow an attacker with local access to gain SYSTEM-level control of an unpatched machine....
Microsoft Patches Windows Admin Center Zero-Day CVE-2026-20965 Granting SYSTEM Access
Microsoft has issued a critical security update addressing a newly discovered elevation-of-privilege vulnerability in Windows Admin Center (WAC) that could allow authenticated local attackers to gain...
CVE-2025-65041: Critical Privilege Escalation Flaw in Microsoft Partner Center
Microsoft has disclosed a critical security vulnerability in its Partner Center platform that could allow attackers to escalate privileges across networked environments. Designated as CVE-2025-65041,...