What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-21237?

CVE-2026-21237 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.0 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.0%.

Which versions of Windows are affected by CVE-2026-21237?

A privilege escalation vulnerability in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) could allow authorized users to gain elevated system access, potentially compromising sensitive data and system integrity.. A patch is available.

How to fix or mitigate CVE-2026-21237?

Within 24 hours: Identify all systems running WSL and assess user access levels; notify development and infrastructure teams of the vulnerability. Within 7 days: Implement compensating controls including disabling WSL where not business-critical, restricting WSL access to trusted users only, and enforcing principle of least privilege for existing WSL users. Within 30 days: Monitor for vendor patch availability and establish expedited deployment procedures; conduct privilege access reviews for WSL-enabled systems.

Windows CVE-2026-21237

HIGH

Race Condition (CWE-362)

2026-02-10 secure@microsoft.com

Windows Linux Race Condition Microsoft Windows 10 21h2 Windows 10 22h2 Windows 11 23h2 Windows 11 24h2 Windows 11 25h2 Windows Server 2022 Windows Server 2022 23h2 Windows Server 2025

7.0

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY

7.0 HIGH

AV:L/AC:H/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

High

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Lifecycle Timeline

Analysis Generated

Mar 12, 2026 - 22:02 vuln.today

CVE Published

Feb 10, 2026 - 18:16 nvd

HIGH 7.0

DescriptionCVE.org

Concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization ('race condition') in Windows Subsystem for Linux allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

AnalysisAI

Local privilege escalation in Windows Subsystem for Linux affects Windows 11 23h2 and Windows 10 22h2 through a race condition in shared resource synchronization. An authenticated local attacker can exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges on the system. No patch is currently available for this vulnerability.

Technical ContextAI

Classified as CWE-362 (Race Condition). Affects Windows 10 21H2. Concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization ('race condition') in Windows Subsystem for Linux allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.