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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
CWE-73
OWASP Top 10:2025
A06:2025 - Insecure Design
ASVS 5.0
V5 - File Handling File name/path control
Impact

CVSS 6.5 (MEDIUM). Attack vector: Network. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: None. User interaction: Required. Exploitation no authentication required. Exploitable via remote/network.
Exploit ScenarioDerived

A remote 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 NTLM authentication is vulnerable to path manipulation attacks that enable network-based spoofing when users interact with malicious content, affecting Windows 10 22H2 and Windows Server editions 2008-2016. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit improper file name or path validation to impersonate legitimate systems or services, potentially redirecting authentication requests to attacker-controlled resources. No patch is currently available for this vulnerability.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 21:54 CVSS 6.5

External control of file name or path in Windows NTLM allows an unauthorized attacker to perform spoofing over a network. [CVSS 6.5 MEDIUM]

RemediationAI

Monitor vendor advisories for a patch. Restrict network access to the affected service where possible.

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. External control of file name or path in Windows NTLM allows an unauthorized attacker to perform spoofing over a network.

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  • Check this CVE against your own stack and servers
  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source

Vendor (microsoft) PRIMARY 6.5 MEDIUM
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

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

CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft

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

DescriptionCVE.org

External control of file name or path in Windows NTLM allows an unauthorized attacker to perform spoofing over a network.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

Organizations using External control of file name or path in Windows NTLM should be aware of notable risk from CVE-2026-20872 rated CVSS 6.5. Exploitation could compromise the security of affected deployments. Organizations should apply vendor updates when available and monitor for exploitation.

Business Impact: Moderate
Compensating Controls

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

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.1%
Top 75% exploitable
Data Quality
4 sources
Confidence: Medium
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

Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
No

Priority Score

32
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +32
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Authentication Bypass CRITICAL

Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.

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-73 – External Control of File Name or Path

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CVE-2024-8517 CRITICAL POC
9.8
CVE-2025-33053 HIGH POC
8.8
CVE-2023-4634 CRITICAL POC
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CVE-2025-24054 MEDIUM POC
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CVE-2026-96656 HIGH POC
8.6
CVE-2021-21343 HIGH POC
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CVE-2025-0111 HIGH
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CVE-2024-55372 CRITICAL POC
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Same technique Authentication Bypass

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CVE-2015-3306 CRITICAL POC
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CVE-2012-4681 CRITICAL POC
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CVE-2013-2465 CRITICAL POC
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CVE-2011-3544 CRITICAL POC
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CVE-2022-40684 CRITICAL POC
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CVE-2025-61882 CRITICAL POC
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CVE-2024-0012 CRITICAL POC
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References

Advisories & patches
ADVISORY https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-20872 ADVISORY https://vuldb.com/?id.340802 REF https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2026-20872-detection-script-spoofing-vulnerability-in-windows-ntlm REF https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2026-20872-mitigation-script-spoofing-vulnerability-in-windows-ntlm

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