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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
CWE-36
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V5 - File Handling Absolute path validation
Impact

CVSS 4.6 (MEDIUM). Attack vector: Physical. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: None. User interaction: None. Exploitation no authentication required.
Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker without authentication could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the affected system.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).
Patch available 0.1% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026

Windows Shell path traversal vulnerability affecting Windows 10 21H2, Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022 allows an attacker with physical access to spoof system resources without requiring user interaction. The vulnerability has no patch available and poses a confidentiality risk through unauthorized information disclosure.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 21:54 CVSS 4.6

Absolute path traversal in Windows Shell allows an unauthorized attacker to perform spoofing with a physical attack. [CVSS 4.6 MEDIUM]

RemediationAI

Monitor vendor advisories for a patch. Validate and sanitize file path inputs. Use allowlists.

Affected Packages

microsoft windows_10_version_1607_10_0_14393_8783 fix: Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems 10.0.14393.8783, Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems 10.0.14393.8783
microsoft windows_10_version_1809_10_0_17763_8276 fix: Windows 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems 10.0.17763.8276, Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems 10.0.17763.8276
microsoft windows_10_version_21h2_10_0_19044_6809 fix: Windows 10 Version 21H2 for 32-bit Systems 10.0.19044.6809, Windows 10 Version 21H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.19044.6809, Windows 10 Version 21H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.19044.6809
microsoft windows_10_version_22h2_10_0_19045_6809 fix: Windows 10 Version 22H2 for 32-bit Systems 10.0.19045.6809, Windows 10 Version 22H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.19045.6809, Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.19045.6809
microsoft windows_11_version_23h2_10_0_22631_6491 fix: Windows 11 Version 23H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.22631.6491, Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.22631.6491
microsoft windows_11_version_24h2_10_0_26100_7623 fix: Windows 11 Version 24H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.26100.7623, Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.26100.7623
microsoft windows_11_version_25h2_10_0_26200_7623 fix: Windows 11 Version 25H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.26200.7623, Windows 11 Version 25H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.26200.7623
microsoft windows_server_2008_6_0_6003_23717 fix: Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 6.0.6003.23717, Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) 6.0.6003.23717, Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 6.0.6003.23717, Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) 6.0.6003.23717
microsoft windows_server_2008_r2_6_1_7601_28117 fix: Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 6.1.7601.28117, Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation) 6.1.7601.28117
microsoft windows_server_2012_6_2_9200_25868 fix: Windows Server 2012 6.2.9200.25868, Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) 6.2.9200.25868
microsoft windows_server_2012_r2_6_3_9600_22968 fix: Windows Server 2012 R2 6.3.9600.22968, Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) 6.3.9600.22968
microsoft windows_server_2016_10_0_14393_8783 fix: Windows Server 2016 10.0.14393.8783, Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) 10.0.14393.8783
microsoft windows_server_2019_10_0_17763_8276 fix: Windows Server 2019 10.0.17763.8276, Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) 10.0.17763.8276
microsoft windows_server_2022_10_0_20348_4648 fix: Windows Server 2022 10.0.20348.4648, Windows Server 2022 (Server Core installation) 10.0.20348.4648
microsoft windows_server_2022_23h2_edition_10_0_25398_2092 fix: Windows Server 2022, 23H2 Edition (Server Core installation) 10.0.25398.2092
microsoft windows_server_2025_10_0_26100_32230 fix: Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.32230, Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.32230

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 16 packages in microsoft

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Technical ContextAI · show details

Affects Windows 10 1607. Absolute path traversal in Windows Shell allows an unauthorized attacker to perform spoofing with a physical attack.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source

Vendor (microsoft) PRIMARY 4.6 MEDIUM
AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft) · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft

Attack Vector
Physical
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
None
Availability
None

DescriptionCVE.org

Absolute path traversal in Windows Shell allows an unauthorized attacker to perform spoofing with a physical attack.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

Organizations using Absolute path traversal in Windows Shell should be aware of moderate risk from CVE-2026-20834 rated CVSS 4.6. Exploitation could compromise the security of affected deployments. Organizations should apply vendor updates when available and monitor for exploitation.

Business Impact: Low
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If patching is delayed: restrict network access and enable monitoring.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.1%
Top 82% exploitable
Data Quality
3 sources
Confidence: Low
NVD CVE.org EPSS VulDB

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity MEDIUM
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.1%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Defer
Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact
Low

Priority Score

23
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +23
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Path Traversal HIGH

Path traversal exploits occur when applications use user-controlled input to construct file system paths without proper validation.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_23h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:sp1:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022_23h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Same weakness CWE-36 – Absolute Path Traversal

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CVE-2025-57790 HIGH POC
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Same technique Path Traversal

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References

Advisories & patches
ADVISORY https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-20834 ADVISORY https://vuldb.com/vuln/340769

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