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CVE-2026-23667 is a use-after-free vulnerability located in the Broadcast DVR component of Microsoft Windows, which powers features like the Game DVR and Xbox Game Bar . This flaw occurs when the software improperly manages memory, continuing to use a pointer after the memory it references has been freed . An authorized attacker with local access and low privileges can trigger this condition . By manipulating specific API calls and heap memory, the attacker can cause the program to dereference a dangling pointer . This action can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system control . The vulnerability is present in multiple versions of Windows 10 and 11 . Microsoft has classified this as an elevation of privilege issue with a CVSS base score of 7.0 (HIGH) . The attack complexity is high, requiring precise timing and memory management to succeed . While no public exploit is currently available, the release of security updates confirms the vulnerability’s validity .
Platform: Microsoft Windows
Version: 10/11 multiple
Vulnerability : Use After Free
Severity: 7.0 HIGH
date: March 10, 2026
Prediction: Patches already available
What Undercode Say:
Analytics:
The vulnerability was disclosed and patched by Microsoft on March 10, 2026, as part of its monthly security update . The patch is included in update KB5078885 for affected Windows 10 and 11 systems . The CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) indicates a local attack vector with high attack complexity, requiring the attacker to already have low-level privileges on the target machine . The exploitability is considered difficult, and no active exploits or proof-of-concept code have been publicly released as of the publication date . However, given the “Use After Free” bug class and its potential for privilege escalation to SYSTEM, it poses a significant risk to unpatched systems . The affected component, Broadcast DVR, is enabled by default on many Windows installations, widening the potential attack surface .
Exploit:
While a specific exploit for CVE-2026-23667 is not publicly available, a generic exploitation workflow for a Windows use-after-free vulnerability, such as the one detailed by Elastic for a DWM bug, involves the following conceptual steps:
1. Trigger Allocation: The attacker interacts with the vulnerable component (Broadcast DVR) to allocate a specific object in memory.
2. Trigger Free: A subsequent action causes this object to be freed, but a pointer to its memory location is retained (dangling pointer).
3. Heap Spray: The attacker allocates controlled data (e.g., a fake object with a malicious function pointer) to occupy the freed memory location.
4. Trigger Use: The vulnerable component uses the dangling pointer, now pointing to the attacker-controlled data.
5. Code Execution: The program follows the malicious function pointer, leading to arbitrary code execution with the target process’s privileges (which can then be escalated to SYSTEM).
Protection from this CVE:
The primary and most effective protection is to install the official security update provided by Microsoft (e.g., KB5078885) . As an interim mitigation, administrators can disable the Broadcast DVR/Game DVR feature via Group Policy or by stopping the associated service . Implementing the principle of least privilege by restricting local user accounts and removing unnecessary administrative rights can limit the potential impact . Additionally, enabling Windows Defender Exploit Guard features such as Control Flow Guard (CFG) and mandatory ASLR can make exploitation more difficult .
Impact:
A successful exploit allows an attacker with limited user privileges to elevate their access to SYSTEM, the highest level of privilege on a Windows system . This grants the attacker complete control over the compromised host, enabling them to install programs, view, change, or delete data, and create new accounts with full user rights . From this elevated position, the attacker could then move laterally across the network to compromise other systems .
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Sources:
Reported By: nvd.nist.gov
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