CVE-2026-85941

7.0High

Published 13 Oct 2026 · NVD status: Undergoing Analysis · 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-362, CWE-416

Impact

Local authenticated attackers can gain SYSTEM privileges by exploiting Windows Installer. They need an existing low-privileged account on the target machine.

Root cause

A race condition leading to a use-after-free in Windows Installer allows improper synchronization during shared resource access.

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 official Windows security update from the MSRC advisory. No known interim mitigation or workaround is provided.

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

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NVD description

Concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization ('race condition') in Windows Installer allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

References

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-85941

Source: nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-85941