CVE-2026-20928
Received Received - Intake
Improper Data Handling in Windows Recovery Environment Enables Bypass

Publication date: 2026-04-14

Last updated on: 2026-04-24

Assigner: Microsoft Corporation

Description
Improper removal of sensitive information before storage or transfer in Windows Recovery Environment Agent allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature with a physical attack.
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Meta Information
Published
2026-04-14
Last Modified
2026-04-24
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2026-04-14
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-15
NVD
CVE-2026-20928
EUVD
EUVD-2026-22352
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 23 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
microsoft windows_10_1607 to 10.0.14393.9060 (exc)
microsoft windows_10_1607 to 10.0.14393.9060 (exc)
microsoft windows_10_1809 to 10.0.17763.8644 (exc)
microsoft windows_10_1809 to 10.0.17763.8644 (exc)
microsoft windows_10_21h2 to 10.0.19044.7184 (exc)
microsoft windows_10_21h2 to 10.0.19044.7184 (exc)
microsoft windows_10_21h2 to 10.0.19044.7184 (exc)
microsoft windows_10_22h2 to 10.0.19045.7184 (exc)
microsoft windows_10_22h2 to 10.0.19045.7184 (exc)
microsoft windows_10_22h2 to 10.0.19045.7184 (exc)
microsoft windows_11_23h2 to 10.0.22631.6936 (exc)
microsoft windows_11_23h2 to 10.0.22631.6936 (exc)
microsoft windows_11_24h2 to 10.0.26100.8246 (exc)
microsoft windows_11_24h2 to 10.0.26100.8246 (exc)
microsoft windows_11_25h2 to 10.0.26200.8246 (exc)
microsoft windows_11_25h2 to 10.0.26200.8246 (exc)
microsoft windows_11_26h1 to 10.0.28000.1836 (exc)
microsoft windows_11_26h1 to 10.0.28000.1836 (exc)
microsoft windows_server_2016 to 10.0.14393.9060 (exc)
microsoft windows_server_2019 to 10.0.17763.8644 (exc)
microsoft windows_server_2022 to 10.0.20348.5020 (exc)
microsoft windows_server_2022_23h2 to 10.0.25398.2274 (exc)
microsoft windows_server_2025 to 10.0.26100.32690 (exc)
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-212 The product stores, transfers, or shares a resource that contains sensitive information, but it does not properly remove that information before the product makes the resource available to unauthorized actors.
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Executive Summary

This vulnerability involves the improper removal of sensitive information before it is stored or transferred within the Windows Recovery Environment Agent. Because of this flaw, an unauthorized attacker who has physical access to the device can bypass a security feature.

Impact Analysis

The vulnerability allows an attacker with physical access to bypass a security feature, potentially exposing sensitive information that should have been removed before storage or transfer. This can lead to unauthorized access to protected data.

Mitigation Strategies

The vulnerability involves improper removal of sensitive information in the Windows Recovery Environment Agent, which allows a security feature bypass via physical attack.

To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to apply any security updates or patches provided by Microsoft for the Windows Recovery Environment Agent as soon as they become available.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability involves improper removal of sensitive information before storage or transfer, which could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data through a physical attack.

Such unauthorized access to sensitive information may impact compliance with data protection standards and regulations like GDPR and HIPAA, which require proper handling and protection of sensitive data.

However, specific effects on compliance or regulatory requirements are not detailed in the provided information.

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