CVE-2026-21508
Analyzed
Analyzed - Analysis Complete
Improper Authentication in Windows Storage Enables Local Privilege Escalation
Publication date: 2026-02-10
Last updated on: 2026-02-12
Assigner: Microsoft Corporation
Description
Description
Improper authentication in Windows Storage 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_2012 | r2 |
| microsoft | windows_server_2012 | * |
| microsoft | windows_10_1607 | to 10.0.14393.8868 (exc) |
| microsoft | windows_10_1607 | to 10.0.14393.8868 (exc) |
| microsoft | windows_10_1809 | to 10.0.17763.8389 (exc) |
| microsoft | windows_server_2016 | to 10.0.14393.8868 (exc) |
| microsoft | windows_server_2019 | to 10.0.17763.8389 (exc) |
| 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_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) |
| microsoft | windows_10_21h2 | to 10.0.19044.6937 (exc) |
| microsoft | windows_10_1809 | to 10.0.17763.8389 (exc) |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-287 | When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct. |
| CWE-426 | The product searches for critical resources using an externally-supplied search path that can point to resources that are not under the product's direct control. |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
This vulnerability is an improper authentication issue in Windows Storage that allows an authorized attacker to elevate their privileges locally.
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
An attacker who already has some level of access to the system can exploit this vulnerability to gain higher privileges than they are normally allowed, potentially leading to full control over the affected 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
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