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Windows 11 23h2 CVE-2026-20838

MEDIUM
Error Message Information Leak (CWE-209)
2026-01-13 secure@microsoft.com
Information Disclosure Microsoft Windows 11 23h2 Windows 11 24h2 Windows 11 25h2 Windows Server 2022 Windows Server 2022 23h2 Windows Server 2025
5.5
CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: microsoft
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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
CWE-209
OWASP Top 10:2025
A10:2025 - Mishandling of Exceptional Conditions
ASVS 5.0
V16 - Security Logging and Error Handling Error message sanitization
MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique across 1 tactic: Discovery

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

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Impact

CVSS 5.5 (MEDIUM). Attack vector: Local. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: Low. User interaction: None. Exploitable via local access.
Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker 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 0.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026

Sensitive information disclosure in the Windows Kernel error message handling allows local authenticated users to read confidential data they shouldn't have access to. The vulnerability affects Windows and Windows Server 2022/2025 platforms and requires valid credentials to exploit, limiting its attack surface. No patch is currently available for this medium-severity issue.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 21:54 CVSS 5.5

Generation of error message containing sensitive information in Windows Kernel allows an authorized attacker to disclose information locally. [CVSS 5.5 MEDIUM]

RemediationAI

Monitor vendor advisories for a patch.

Affected Packages

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_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 6 packages in microsoft

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

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Technical ContextAI · show details

Classified as CWE-209 (Error Message Information Leak). Affects Windows 11 23H2. Generation of error message containing sensitive information in Windows Kernel allows an authorized attacker to disclose information locally.

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

Vendor (microsoft) PRIMARY 5.5 MEDIUM
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/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
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
None
Availability
None

DescriptionCVE.org

Generation of error message containing sensitive information in Windows Kernel allows an authorized attacker to disclose information locally.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

Organizations using Generation of error message containing sensitive information in Windows Kernel should be aware of moderate risk from CVE-2026-20838 rated CVSS 5.5. 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
0.0%
Top 90% 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 0.0%
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

28
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +28
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Information Disclosure MEDIUM

Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

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_2022:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022_23h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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References

Advisories & patches
ADVISORY https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-20838 ADVISORY https://vuldb.com/vuln/340773

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