CVE-2026-21242
Analyzed
Analyzed - Analysis Complete
Use-After-Free in Windows Subsystem for Linux Elevates Privileges
Publication date: 2026-02-10
Last updated on: 2026-02-11
Assigner: Microsoft Corporation
Description
Description
Use after free in Windows Subsystem for Linux allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
| Probability: | |
| Percentile: |
Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| microsoft | windows_server_2022 | to 10.0.20348.4711 (exc) |
| microsoft | windows_server_2025 | to 10.0.26100.32313 (exc) |
| microsoft | windows_11_24h2 | to 10.0.26100.7781 (exc) |
| microsoft | windows_11_24h2 | to 10.0.26100.7781 (exc) |
| microsoft | windows_11_23h2 | to 10.0.22631.6649 (exc) |
| microsoft | windows_11_23h2 | to 10.0.22631.6649 (exc) |
| microsoft | windows_11_25h2 | to 10.0.26200.7781 (exc) |
| microsoft | windows_11_25h2 | to 10.0.26200.7781 (exc) |
| microsoft | windows_server_2022_23h2 | to 10.0.25398.2149 (exc) |
| microsoft | windows_10_22h2 | to 10.0.19045.6937 (exc) |
| microsoft | windows_10_22h2 | to 10.0.19045.6937 (exc) |
| microsoft | windows_10_21h2 | to 10.0.19044.6937 (exc) |
| microsoft | windows_10_21h2 | to 10.0.19044.6937 (exc) |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
KEV
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| 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 Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer. |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
This vulnerability is a use after free issue in the Windows Subsystem for Linux. It allows an authorized attacker to elevate their privileges locally on the affected system.
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
The vulnerability can impact you by allowing an authorized attacker to gain higher privileges on your system than they should have. This elevation of privilege can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of system settings, or further compromise of the system.
How does this vulnerability affect compliance with common standards and regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA)?:
I don't know
How can this vulnerability be detected on my network or system? Can you suggest some commands?
I don't know
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
I don't know
Ask Our AI Assistant
Need more information? Ask your question to get an AI reply (Powered by our expertise)
0/70