CVE-2026-83784

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Windows EFS Absolute Path Traversal Vulnerability

Publication date: 2026-10-13

Last updated on: 2026-10-16

Assigner: Microsoft Corporation

Description

Absolute path traversal in Windows Encrypting File System (EFS) allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

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Meta Information

Published

2026-10-13

Last Modified

2026-10-16

Generated

2026-10-19

AI Q&A

2026-10-14

EPSS Evaluated

2026-10-18

NVD

CVE-2026-83784

EUVD

EUVD-2026-99366

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
Microsoft	Windows	10 Version 1607 10.0.14393.0
Microsoft	Windows	10 Version 1809 10.0.17763.0
Microsoft	Windows	10 Version 21H2 10.0.19044.0
Microsoft	Windows	10 Version 22H2 10.0.19045.0
Microsoft	Windows	11 version 23H2 10.0.22631.0
Microsoft	Windows	11 Version 23H2 10.0.22631.0
Microsoft	Windows	11 Version 24H2 10.0.26100.0
Microsoft	Windows	11 Version 25H2 10.0.26200.0
Microsoft	Windows	11 version 26H1 10.0.28000.0
Microsoft	Windows	11 Version 26H2 10.0.26300.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2012 6.2.9200.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2012 (Server Core installation) 6.2.9200.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2012 R2 6.3.9600.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) 6.3.9600.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2016 10.0.14393.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2016 (Server Core installation) 10.0.14393.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2019 10.0.17763.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2019 (Server Core installation) 10.0.17763.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2022 10.0.20348.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2025 10.0.26100.0
Microsoft	Windows	Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.0

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-36	The product uses external input to construct a pathname that should be within a restricted directory, but it does not properly neutralize absolute path sequences such as "/abs/path" that can resolve to a location that is outside of that directory.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

This vulnerability involves an absolute path traversal flaw in Windows Encrypting File System (EFS). An authorized attacker can exploit this to elevate their privileges over a network.

Impact Analysis

An attacker could gain higher privileges on your system, potentially allowing them to access sensitive data, install malicious software, or take control of your device.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability allows privilege escalation via absolute path traversal in Windows EFS, which could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data. Such access may violate data protection requirements under GDPR (e.g., unauthorized data access) and HIPAA (e.g., unauthorized disclosure of protected health information).

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest security updates from Microsoft to patch the EFS absolute path traversal vulnerability. Monitor Microsoft's update guide for specific patches and install them promptly.

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