CVE-2026-26184
Buffer Over-read in Windows Projected File System Elevates Privileges
Publication date: 2026-04-14
Last updated on: 2026-04-23
Assigner: Microsoft Corporation
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
| Probability: | |
| Percentile: |
Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| 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_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 ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-126 | The product reads from a buffer using buffer access mechanisms such as indexes or pointers that reference memory locations after the targeted buffer. |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
To mitigate this vulnerability, apply the security updates provided by Microsoft for the Windows Projected File System as soon as possible.
Since the vulnerability allows local privilege escalation, ensure that only trusted users have local access to affected systems until patches are applied.
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
This vulnerability is a buffer over-read in the Windows Projected File System. It allows an authorized attacker to read beyond the intended buffer boundaries, which can lead to unintended behavior.
Specifically, this flaw enables the attacker to elevate their privileges locally on the affected system.
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
The vulnerability can allow an authorized attacker to elevate their privileges on a Windows system locally.
- Elevation of privilege means the attacker can gain higher-level permissions than originally granted.
- This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of system settings, or installation of malicious software.
- The CVSS base score of 7.8 indicates a high severity impact, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
How does this vulnerability affect compliance with common standards and regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA)?:
The provided information does not specify how this vulnerability affects compliance with common standards and regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA.