VulnerabilityAnalyzed
CVE-2026-42989
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Winlogon allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
HIGH 7.8EPSS 2.27%
Does this matter?
High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (2.27%). Schedule it in the normal patch cycle and watch for a rise in EPSS or a public exploit.
Description
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Winlogon allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- EPSS
- 2.27% probability · 82th percentile
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-59
- Affected
- microsoft/windows 10 1607 · microsoft/windows 10 1809 · microsoft/windows 10 21h2 · microsoft/windows 10 22h2 · microsoft/windows 11 23h2 · microsoft/windows 11 24h2 · microsoft/windows 11 25h2 · microsoft/windows 11 26h1 · microsoft/windows server 2012 · microsoft/windows server 2016 · microsoft/windows server 2019 · microsoft/windows server 2022 · microsoft/windows server 2025
- Source
- secure@microsoft.com
References
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA. Refreshed daily.