What is the CVSS score of CVE-2024-20681?

CVE-2024-20681 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.3%.

Which versions of Windows are affected by CVE-2024-20681?

CVE-2024-20681 presents notable security risk, a use-after-free vulnerability rated CVSS 7.8. Exploitation could compromise the security of affected deployments.. A patch is available.

How to fix or mitigate CVE-2024-20681?

Within 30 days: Identify all affected systems and apply vendor patches as part of regular patch cycle. If patching is delayed, consider network segmentation to limit exposure.

Windows CVE-2024-20681

HIGH

Use After Free (CWE-416)

2024-01-09 secure@microsoft.com

Windows Information Disclosure Use After Free Memory Corruption Microsoft Windows 10 21h2 Windows 10 22h2 Windows 11 22h2 Windows 11 23h2 Windows Server 2022 Windows Server 2022 23h2 Windows 11 21H2

7.8

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY

7.8 HIGH

AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Lifecycle Timeline

Analysis Generated

Mar 28, 2026 - 19:34 vuln.today

Patch released

Mar 28, 2026 - 19:34 nvd

Patch available

CVE Published

Jan 09, 2024 - 18:15 nvd

HIGH 7.8

DescriptionCVE.org

Windows Subsystem for Linux Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

AnalysisAI

Windows Subsystem for Linux Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Use After Free vulnerability could allow attackers to access freed memory to execute arbitrary code or crash the application.

Technical ContextAI

This vulnerability is classified as Use After Free (CWE-416), which allows attackers to access freed memory to execute arbitrary code or crash the application. Windows Subsystem for Linux Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Affected products include: Microsoft Windows 10 21H2, Microsoft Windows 10 22H2, Microsoft Windows 11 21H2, Microsoft Windows 11 22H2, Microsoft Windows 11 23H2.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Use smart pointers or garbage-collected languages. Set pointers to NULL after freeing. Enable memory sanitizers.