Skip to main content
View

Attack ChainAIDerived

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

  1. Access
    Obtain local user account
  2. Exploit
    Access vulnerable Storage service
  3. Execution
    Bypass authentication check
  4. Impact
    Elevate privileges to SYSTEM

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
CWE-287
OWASP Top 10:2025
A07:2025 - Authentication Failures
ASVS 5.0
V6 - Authentication Authentication mechanism validation
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Defense Evasion, Initial Access

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

Sign in to read
Exploitation Conditions

Attacker must have valid local user credentials (PR:L). Windows Storage service must be running with vulnerable authentication logic. High attack complexity suggests specific system state or timing required—likely requires knowledge of Storage subsystem implementation or specific conditions triggering the authentication flaw.
Impact

CVSS 7.0 (HIGH). Attack vector: Local. Complexity: High. 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)

Get an e-mail when this CVE is exploited, patched or re-scored. Free account.

Alert me

AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026

Windows Storage component contains an authentication bypass that enables authenticated local users to escalate privileges on Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2016/2019 systems. An attacker with valid local credentials can exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated system access without user interaction. No patch is currently available for this HIGH severity issue affecting multiple Windows versions.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 22:02 CVSS 7.0

Improper authentication in Windows Storage allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. [CVSS 7.0 HIGH]

RemediationAI

Monitor vendor advisories for a patch.

Affected Packages

microsoft windows_10_version_1607_10_0_14393_8868 fix: Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems 10.0.14393.8868, Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems 10.0.14393.8868
microsoft windows_10_version_1809_10_0_17763_8389 fix: Windows 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems 10.0.17763.8389, Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems 10.0.17763.8389
microsoft windows_10_version_21h2_10_0_19044_6937 fix: Windows 10 Version 21H2 for 32-bit Systems 10.0.19044.6937, Windows 10 Version 21H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.19044.6937, Windows 10 Version 21H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.19044.6937
microsoft windows_10_version_22h2_10_0_19045_6937 fix: Windows 10 Version 22H2 for 32-bit Systems 10.0.19045.6937, Windows 10 Version 22H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.19045.6937, Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.19045.6937
microsoft windows_11_version_23h2_10_0_22631_6649 fix: Windows 11 Version 23H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.22631.6649, Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.22631.6649
microsoft windows_11_version_24h2_10_0_26100_7840 fix: Windows 11 Version 24H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.26100.7840, Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.26100.7840
microsoft windows_11_version_25h2_10_0_26200_7840 fix: Windows 11 Version 25H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.26200.7840, Windows 11 Version 25H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.26200.7840
microsoft windows_11_version_26h1_10_0_28000_1575 fix: Windows 11 Version 26H1 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.28000.1575, Windows 11 version 26H1 for x64-based Systems 10.0.28000.1575
microsoft windows_server_2012_6_2_9200_25923 fix: Windows Server 2012 6.2.9200.25923, Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) 6.2.9200.25923
microsoft windows_server_2012_r2_6_3_9600_23022 fix: Windows Server 2012 R2 6.3.9600.23022, Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) 6.3.9600.23022
microsoft windows_server_2016_10_0_14393_8868 fix: Windows Server 2016 10.0.14393.8868, Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) 10.0.14393.8868
microsoft windows_server_2019_10_0_17763_8389 fix: Windows Server 2019 10.0.17763.8389, Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) 10.0.17763.8389
microsoft windows_server_2022_10_0_20348_4773 fix: Windows Server 2022 10.0.20348.4773, Windows Server 2022 (Server Core installation) 10.0.20348.4773
microsoft windows_server_2022_23h2_edition_10_0_25398_2149 fix: Windows Server 2022, 23H2 Edition (Server Core installation) 10.0.25398.2149
microsoft windows_server_2025_10_0_26100_32370 fix: Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.32370, Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.32370

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 15 packages in microsoft

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

Sign in to check
Technical ContextAI · show details

Classified as CWE-287 (Improper Authentication). Affects Windows 10 1607. Improper authentication in Windows Storage allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Know when Windows gets its next vulnerability

  • Watch products and get an email when something new is published
  • Check this CVE against your own stack and servers
  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
Continue with Google Continue with GitHub

No credit card · 7-day full trial

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

DescriptionCVE.org

Improper authentication in Windows Storage allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

CVE-2026-21508 affects Windows Storage and allows authorized users with local access to escalate their privileges to administrator level, potentially compromising sensitive data and system integrity. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations where multiple users share systems or where insider threats are a concern, as attackers could gain unauthorized administrative control.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Restrict local administrative access through Group Policy; implement multi-factor authentication for privileged accounts; enable Windows audit logging for privilege escalation events; use application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation tools; segment Windows Storage systems from sensitive data repositories; regularly audit and revoke unnecessary user permissions.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.0%
Top 91% exploitable
Data Quality
3 sources
Confidence: Low
NVD CVE.org EPSS

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

35
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +35
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

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:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_23h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_23h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
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_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:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
+ 3 more

More in Windows

View all
CVE-2025-52691 CRITICAL POC
10.0 Dec 29

Unauthenticated remote code execution in SmarterTools SmarterMail lets an attacker upload arbitrary files to any locatio
CVE-2019-0803 HIGH POC
7.8 Apr 09

Windows Win32k fails to properly handle objects in memory, allowing local privilege escalation exploited in the wild in

CVE-2020-1472 MEDIUM POC
5.5 Aug 17

A privilege escalation vulnerability (CVSS 5.5). Risk factors: actively exploited (KEV-listed), EPSS 94% exploitation pr
CVE-2025-33053 HIGH POC
8.8 Jun 10

Windows Internet Shortcut Files (.url) contain an external control vulnerability (CVE-2025-33053, CVSS 8.8) that enables
CVE-2025-33073 HIGH POC
8.8 Jun 10

Windows SMB contains an improper access control vulnerability (CVE-2025-33073, CVSS 8.8) enabling authenticated attacker
CVE-2013-10047 CRITICAL POC
9.3 Aug 01

An unrestricted file upload vulnerability exists in MiniWeb HTTP Server <= Build 300 that allows unauthenticated remote

CVE-2012-10030 CRITICAL POC
9.3 Aug 05

FreeFloat FTP Server contains multiple critical design flaws that allow unauthenticated remote attackers to upload arbit
CVE-2025-34101 CRITICAL POC
9.3 Jul 10

Serviio Media Server versions 1.4 through 1.8 on Windows contain an unauthenticated command injection in the /rest/actio
CVE-2025-34095 CRITICAL POC
9.3 Jul 10

Mako Server versions 2.5 and 2.6 contain an unauthenticated OS command injection via the tutorial interface at examples/
CVE-2025-11953 CRITICAL POC
9.8 Nov 03

React Native Metro Development Server binds to external interfaces by default and contains an OS command injection endpo
CVE-2026-96951 HIGH POC
8.8 Oct 13

Command injection in the Windows Shell lets remote, unauthenticated attackers bypass a Windows security feature and then
CVE-2025-24054 MEDIUM POC
6.5 Mar 11

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

Same weakness CWE-287 – Improper Authentication

View all
CVE-2022-40684 CRITICAL POC
9.8
CVE-2025-61882 CRITICAL POC
9.8
CVE-2020-0688 HIGH POC
8.8
CVE-2023-46805 HIGH POC
8.2
CVE-2023-35078 CRITICAL POC
9.8
CVE-2015-1187 CRITICAL POC
9.8
CVE-2024-7593 CRITICAL POC
9.8
CVE-2017-7921 CRITICAL POC
9.8

References

Advisories & patches
ADVISORY https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-21508

Search Externally

GitHub PoC Exploit-DB PacketStorm Snyk Rapid7 Nuclei Templates Trickest PoC
Back

This site uses cookies essential for authentication and security. No tracking or analytics cookies are used. Privacy Policy