Windows 11 version 23H2: Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime
CVE-2026-69809 is a high-severity missing release of memory after effective lifetime vulnerability in Windows 11 version 23H2 from Microsoft, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 10.0.22631.7582 as the first without the flaw, so updating Windows 11 version 23H2 to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.17% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 68% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Windows 11 version 23H2 to 10.0.22631.7582 or a later version.
- Update Windows 11 Version 24H2 to 10.0.26100.9445 or a later version.
- Update Windows 11 Version 25H2 to 10.0.26200.9445 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on msrc.microsoft.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Windows 11 version 23H2 | 10.0.22631.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.22631.7582 | 10.0.22631.7582 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 Version 24H2 | 10.0.26100.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26100.9445 | 10.0.26100.9445 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 Version 25H2 | 10.0.26200.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26200.9445 | 10.0.26200.9445 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 version 26H1 | 10.0.28000.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.28000.2954 | 10.0.28000.2954 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2022 | 10.0.20348.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.20348.5622 | 10.0.20348.5622 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2025 | 10.0.26100.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26100.33438 | 10.0.26100.33438 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) | 10.0.26100.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26100.33438 | 10.0.26100.33438 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 23h2 | before 10.0.22631.7582 | 10.0.22631.7582 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 24h2 | before 10.0.26100.9445 | 10.0.26100.9445 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 25h2 | before 10.0.26200.9445 | 10.0.26200.9445 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 26h1 | before 10.0.28000.2954 | 10.0.28000.2954 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA (microsoft.com).
Official description
Missing release of memory after effective lifetime in Active Directory Domain Services allows an unauthorized attacker to deny service over a network.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime
The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, making the memory unavailable for reallocation and reuse.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a language or tool that provides automatic memory management, or makes manual memory management less error-prone. For example, glibc in Linux provides protection against free of invalid pointers. When using Xcode to target OS X or iOS, enable automatic reference counting (ARC). To help correctly and consistently manage memory when programming in C++, consider using a smart pointer class such as std
- Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
- Consider using the Boehm-Demers-Weiser garbage collector (bdwgc), which can help avoid leaks.
More Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime vulnerabilities (CWE-401)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Recent Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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