Windows
CVE-2026-26119
HIGH
Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessAuthenticate as low-privilege user to Windows Admin Center
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DeliveryCraft malicious request exploiting authentication flaw
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ExploitBypass privilege verification
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ExecutionExecute administrative commands
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ImpactGain system-level control
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
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. |
| Exploitation Conditions | Windows Admin Center must be accessible over network with authenticated user account (PR:L). Attacker requires valid login credentials for low-privilege user on target Windows Admin Center instance. |
| Impact | CVSS 8.8 (HIGH). Attack vector: Network. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: Low. User interaction: None. Exploitation requires authentication. Exploitable via remote/network. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | A remote attacker (requires authentication) could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the affected system. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026
Windows Admin Center's authentication mechanism can be bypassed by authenticated network users to gain elevated privileges on affected Windows systems. An attacker with valid credentials could exploit this weakness to escalate their access level without additional user interaction. A patch is available to remediate this high-severity vulnerability.
Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
Improper authentication in Windows Admin Center allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network. [CVSS 8.8 HIGH]
RemediationAI
A vendor patch is available — apply it immediately. Restrict network access to the affected service where possible.
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 1 package in microsoft
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
Classified as CWE-287 (Improper Authentication). Affects Windows Admin Center. Improper authentication in Windows Admin Center allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
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- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionCVE.org
Improper authentication in Windows Admin Center allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
Executive ViewAI
Windows Admin Center contains an authentication bypass that allows authorized users to escalate privileges across the network, potentially compromising administrative access and sensitive infrastructure. This vulnerability poses a direct threat to organizations relying on Windows Admin Center for infrastructure management and requires immediate patching to prevent unauthorized administrative access.
Apply vendor patch.
Threat Intelligence Overview
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.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org
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GitHub PoC
Exploit-DB