CVE-2026-83873

Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete

Windows Shell Relative Path Traversal Privilege Escalation

Publication date: 2026-10-13

Last updated on: 2026-10-21

Assigner: Microsoft Corporation

Description

Relative path traversal in Windows Shell allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
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Meta Information

Published

2026-10-13

Last Modified

2026-10-21

Generated

2026-11-08

AI Q&A

2026-10-14

EPSS Evaluated

2026-11-07

NVD

CVE-2026-83873

EUVD

EUVD-2026-100030

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
microsoft	windows_server_2012	r2
microsoft	windows_server_2012	*
microsoft	windows_server_2022	to 10.0.20348.5761 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_1607	to 10.0.14393.9612 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_1607	to 10.0.14393.9612 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_1809	to 10.0.17763.9376 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_1809	to 10.0.17763.9376 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_21h2	to 10.0.19044.7807 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_21h2	to 10.0.19044.7807 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_21h2	to 10.0.19044.7807 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_23h2	to 10.0.22631.7652 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_23h2	to 10.0.22631.7652 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_24h2	to 10.0.26100.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_24h2	to 10.0.26100.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_25h2	to 10.0.26200.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_25h2	to 10.0.26200.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_26h1	to 10.0.28000.3231 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_26h1	to 10.0.28000.3231 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_26h2	to 10.0.26300.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_26h2	to 10.0.26300.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_server_2016	to 10.0.14393.9612 (exc)
microsoft	windows_server_2019	to 10.0.17763.9376 (exc)
microsoft	windows_server_2025	to 10.0.26100.33650 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_22h2	to 10.0.19045.7807 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_22h2	to 10.0.19045.7807 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_22h2	to 10.0.19045.7807 (exc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-23	The product uses external input to construct a pathname that should be within a restricted directory, but it does not properly neutralize sequences such as ".." that can resolve to a location that is outside of that directory.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

This vulnerability is a relative path traversal flaw in Windows Shell that allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. It enables an attacker to access restricted files or execute unauthorized actions by manipulating file paths.

Impact Analysis

An attacker could exploit this to gain higher privileges on your system, potentially allowing them to install malicious software, access sensitive data, or perform actions as an administrator without proper authorization.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, violating GDPR and HIPAA requirements for data protection and access controls. Organizations may face compliance violations and penalties if exploited.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest Windows security updates from Microsoft to patch the relative path traversal vulnerability in Windows Shell. Monitor Microsoft's security advisories for updates and disable unnecessary user privileges until patches are applied.

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EPSS Chart

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