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Windows 11 24h2 CVE-2026-20941

HIGH
Improper Link Resolution Before File Access (CWE-59)
2026-01-13 secure@microsoft.com
Information Disclosure Microsoft Windows 11 24h2 Windows 11 25h2 Windows Server 2025
7.8
CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: microsoft
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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Authenticate as low-privilege local user
  2. Delivery
    Create malicious symlink in writable directory
  3. Exploit
    Trigger Host Process for Windows Tasks
  4. Execution
    Follow symlink to system file
  5. Impact
    Execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
CWE-59
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V5 - File Handling Symlink resolution safety
Exploitation Conditions

Local user account with write access to directories monitored by Host Process for Windows Tasks. The Tasks scheduler must process symlinks without proper validation. No special configuration required beyond standard Windows Task Scheduler functionality.
Impact

CVSS 7.8 (HIGH). 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 Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 0.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026

Privilege escalation in Windows Task Host Process affects Windows 11 and Server 2025 through unsafe symbolic link handling, allowing authenticated local users to gain elevated system privileges. An attacker with standard user access can exploit improper link resolution to bypass access controls and execute arbitrary actions with SYSTEM-level permissions. Currently no patch is available for this vulnerability.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 21:54 CVSS 7.8

Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Host Process for Windows Tasks allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. [CVSS 7.8 HIGH]

RemediationAI

Monitor vendor advisories for a patch.

Affected Packages

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_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 3 packages in microsoft

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Technical ContextAI · show details

Classified as CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access). Affects Windows 11 24H2. Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Host Process for Windows Tasks allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

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

Vendor (microsoft) PRIMARY 7.8 HIGH
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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
High
Availability
High

DescriptionCVE.org

Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Host Process for Windows Tasks allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

CVE-2026-20941 presents notable security risk rated CVSS 7.8. Exploitation could compromise the security of affected deployments. Organizations should apply vendor updates when available and consider compensating controls in the interim.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If immediate patching is not feasible: (1) Implement network-level access controls to limit exposure; (2) Enable enhanced monitoring and alerting; (3) Apply principle of least privilege.

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 HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.0%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
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
Scheduled
Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact
High

Priority Score

39
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +39
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_24h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Same weakness CWE-59 – Improper Link Resolution Before File Access

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Same technique Information Disclosure

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CVE-2025-68613 HIGH POC
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References

Advisories & patches
ADVISORY https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-20941 ADVISORY https://vuldb.com/vuln/340828

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