CVE-2026-72955 Windows Application Compatibility Cache Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

High 7.0 Published 13 Oct 2026 Updated 29 Oct 2026

A use-after-free flaw in the Windows Application Compatibility Cache allows local attackers to elevate privileges.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Any signed-in user
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2026-72955?

CVE-2026-72955 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 11 23h2, published on 13 Oct 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

Use after free in Windows Application Compatibility Cache allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Weakness: CWE-416

Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-72955?

It affects 7 products.

Products include Microsoft Windows 11 23h2, Microsoft Windows 11 24h2, Microsoft Windows 11 25h2, Microsoft Windows 11 26h1, Microsoft Windows 11 26h2, Microsoft Windows Server 2022 and 1 more.

How do I fix CVE-2026-72955?

No fix has been published for CVE-2026-72955 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.

Is CVE-2026-72955 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-72955 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Microsoft Windows 11 23h2 vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-hc6w-95v5-pp9r.