CVE-2026-56174

Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete

Untrusted Search Path in Windows Narrator Braille Elevates Privileges

Publication date: 2026-08-11

Last updated on: 2026-08-16

Assigner: Microsoft Corporation

Description

Untrusted search path in Windows Narrator Braille allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
Percentile:

Meta Information

Published

2026-08-11

Last Modified

2026-08-16

Generated

2026-09-01

AI Q&A

2026-08-12

EPSS Evaluated

2026-08-30

NVD

CVE-2026-56174

EUVD

EUVD-2026-56288

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
microsoft	windows_10_1809	to 10.0.17763.9115 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_1809	to 10.0.17763.9115 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_21h2	to 10.0.19044.7663 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_21h2	to 10.0.19044.7663 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_21h2	to 10.0.19044.7663 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_22h2	to 10.0.19045.7663 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_22h2	to 10.0.19045.7663 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_22h2	to 10.0.19045.7663 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_23h2	to 10.0.22631.7517 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_23h2	to 10.0.22631.7517 (exc)
microsoft	windows_server_2019	to 10.0.17763.9115 (exc)
microsoft	windows_server_2022	to 10.0.20348.5440 (exc)
microsoft	windows_server_2025	to 10.0.26100.33222 (exc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
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

Executive Summary

This vulnerability involves an untrusted search path in Windows Narrator Braille. An authorized attacker can exploit this to elevate their privileges locally on a system.

Detection Guidance

Detection requires checking for untrusted search paths in Windows Narrator Braille. Review system PATH environment variables for suspicious entries and monitor for unauthorized privilege escalation attempts.

Impact Analysis

An attacker could gain higher-level access to your system, allowing them to perform unauthorized actions such as installing malicious software or accessing sensitive data.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, potentially violating compliance requirements under GDPR, HIPAA, or other regulations that mandate strict access controls and data protection.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest security updates from Microsoft to patch the untrusted search path vulnerability in Windows Narrator Braille.

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