CVE-2026-20861
Race Condition in Windows Management Services Enables Local Privilege Escalation
Publication date: 2026-01-13
Last updated on: 2026-01-13
Assigner: Microsoft Corporation
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| microsoft | windows_management_services | * |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-415 | The product calls free() twice on the same memory address. |
| CWE-416 | The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer. |
| CWE-362 | The product contains a concurrent code sequence that requires temporary, exclusive access to a shared resource, but a timing window exists in which the shared resource can be modified by another code sequence operating concurrently. |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
This vulnerability is a race condition in Windows Management Services where concurrent execution using a shared resource occurs without proper synchronization. This flaw allows an authorized attacker to elevate their privileges locally on the affected system. [1]
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
An attacker who is already authorized on the system can exploit this vulnerability to gain higher privileges than intended. This elevation of privilege can lead to unauthorized actions, potentially compromising system integrity, confidentiality, and availability. [1]