CVE-2026-20832
Published: 13 January 2026
Summary
CVE-2026-20832 is a high-severity Double Free (CWE-415) vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1607. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploitation for Privilege Escalation (T1068); ranked at the 7.7th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-2 (Flaw Remediation) and AC-6 (Least Privilege).
Threat & Defense at a Glance
Threat & Defense Details
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5)AI
Directly remediates the RPC IDL elevation of privilege vulnerability by requiring timely application of Microsoft patches.
Enforces least privilege to limit low-privileged local attackers' access to exploitable RPC interfaces and reduce the impact of successful elevation.
Implements memory protection mechanisms that mitigate double free (CWE-415) exploitation attempts leading to privilege escalation in the RPC IDL component.
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Local EoP vulnerability in Windows RPC IDL component directly enables exploitation for privilege escalation (T1068).
NVD Description
Windows Remote Procedure Call Interface Definition Language (IDL) Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Deeper analysisAI
CVE-2026-20832 is a Windows Remote Procedure Call Interface Definition Language (IDL) Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability, published on 2026-01-13T18:16:11.150. It affects the Windows operating system, specifically the RPC IDL component, and carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H). The issue is linked to CWE-415.
A local attacker with low privileges can exploit this vulnerability due to its low attack complexity and lack of required user interaction. Successful exploitation enables high-impact effects on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, allowing the attacker to elevate privileges on the affected system.
Microsoft's Security Response Center (MSRC) update guide at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-20832 provides details on mitigation, including available patches and recommended actions for security practitioners.
Details
- CWE(s)