CVE-2026-85842

7.8High

Published 13 Oct 2026 · NVD status: Undergoing Analysis · AI triage by gemini-3.8-flash

7.8High

Attack vector: Local
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: Low
User interaction: None
Impact: Full C/I/A compromise
Weakness: CWE-134

Impact

A local attacker with standard user access can elevate privileges to SYSTEM. They need prior authenticated access to execute code locally on the target host.

Root cause

Windows Image Acquisition fails to validate user input passed directly into a format string specifier.

Affected systems

Versions not listed — check the vendor advisory.

CVSS v3.1 · CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Fix & remediation

Install the relevant Microsoft security update referenced in the advisory. If patching must wait, stop and disable the Windows Image Acquisition service (stisvc).

shell

$ Stop-Service -Name stisvc -Force; Set-Service -Name stisvc -StartupType Disabled

AI-suggested. Run it in staging first and check it against the vendor advisory. Why?

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NVD description

Use of externally-controlled format string in Windows Image Acquisition allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

References

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-85842

Source: nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-85842