Review reviewHigh

CVE-2026-20871

Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21H2, Windows 10 Version 22H2, Windows 11 version 23H2

Use after free in Desktop Windows Manager allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

PRIORITY ASSESSMENT

The CVSS severity warrants an early asset and exposure review.

Known exploitationNot established by KEV

Exploit probability-

Technical severityCVSS 7.8

Use after free in Desktop Windows Manager allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Product: Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21H2, Windows 10 Version 22H2, Windows 11 version 23H2
Affected versions: >= 10.0.19044.0 < 10.0.19044.6809, >= 10.0.19045.0 < 10.0.19045.6809, >= 10.0.22631.0 < 10.0.22631.6491, >= 10.0.26100.0 < 10.0.26100.7623, >= 10.0.26200.0 < 10.0.26200.7623, >= 10.0.20348.0 < 10.0.20348.4648, >= 10.0.25398.0 < 10.0.25398.2092, >= 10.0.26100.0 < 10.0.26100.32230, < 10.0.19044.6809, < 10.0.19045.6809, < 10.0.22631.6491, < 10.0.26100.7623, < 10.0.26200.7623, < 10.0.20348.4648, < 10.0.25398.2092, < 10.0.26100.32230
Fixed versions: 10.0.19044.6809, 10.0.19045.6809, 10.0.22631.6491, 10.0.26100.7623, 10.0.26200.7623, 10.0.20348.4648, 10.0.25398.2092, 10.0.26100.32230

Confirm exposure before applying a vendor-supported change.

1
Identify
Confirm that Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21H2, Windows 10 Version 22H2, Windows 11 version 23H2 and an affected version are present.
2
Prioritize
Combine exploitation signals with asset exposure and business criticality.
3
Remediate
Follow the vendor advisory or supported update path and preserve rollback options.
4
Verify
Recheck the version, service health, access paths, and relevant logs.