CVE-2026-85914

7.0High

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

7.0High

Attack vector: Local
Complexity: High
Privileges needed: Low
User interaction: None
Impact: Full C/I/A compromise
Weakness: CWE-416

Impact

A local attacker with an existing low-privileged account can gain SYSTEM-level access on the target machine. They must already have local execution access to trigger the flaw.

Root cause

A use-after-free condition in the Windows Embedded Mode Service dereferences dangling memory during local operations.

Affected systems

Versions not listed — check the vendor advisory.

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

Fix & remediation

Install the relevant Microsoft security update from the vendor advisory. If patching must wait, disable the Windows Embedded Mode Service (embeddedmodesvc) where it is not strictly required.

shell

$ Get-Service -Name "embeddedmodesvc" | Stop-Service -PassThru | Set-Service -StartupType Disabled

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

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NVD description

Use after free in Windows Embedded Mode Service allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

References

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-85914Vendor Advisory

Source: nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-85914