CVE-2026-26172
Race Condition in Windows Push Notifications Enables Local Privilege Escalation
Publication date: 2026-04-14
Last updated on: 2026-04-24
Assigner: Microsoft Corporation
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| 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_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 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 Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer. |
| 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
How does this vulnerability affect compliance with common standards and regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA)?:
This vulnerability allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally through a race condition in Windows Push Notifications.
Elevation of privilege vulnerabilities can potentially lead to unauthorized access or modification of sensitive data, which may impact compliance with standards such as GDPR and HIPAA that require protection of personal and health information.
However, the provided information does not specify direct effects or assessments related to compliance with these regulations.
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
This vulnerability is a race condition in Windows Push Notifications caused by concurrent execution using a shared resource without proper synchronization. It allows an authorized attacker to exploit this flaw to elevate their privileges locally on the affected system.
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
The impact of this vulnerability is that an authorized attacker can gain higher privileges on the local system than they are normally allowed. This elevation of privilege can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of system settings, or execution of malicious code with elevated rights.
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
To mitigate this vulnerability, apply the security updates provided by Microsoft for Windows Push Notifications as soon as they become available.
Since the vulnerability involves a race condition allowing local privilege escalation, limiting local user access and ensuring that only authorized users have access to affected systems can help reduce risk.