Skip to main content
View

Attack ChainAIDerived

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

  1. Access
    Obtain local account access
  2. Exploit
    Trigger concurrent requests to WSUS shared resource
  3. Execution
    Exploit race condition in synchronization
  4. Impact
    Escalate to SYSTEM privileges

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A06:2025 - Insecure Design
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Concurrency control, locking
MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique across 1 tactic: Privilege Escalation

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

Exploitation Conditions

Windows Server with WSUS (Windows Server Update Service) installed and running. Requires valid local user account credentials. Race condition window in WSUS shared resource handling must be exploitable through concurrent access patterns.

Impact

Real-world risk is moderate-to-high despite the 7.0 CVSS score. The attack vector is local (AV:L) requiring existing system access, but high attack complexity (AC:H) means exploitation demands sophisticated timing manipulation and likely multiple attempts to win the race condition. Low privileges required (PR:L) means any authenticated domain user or local account could attempt exploitation. The unchanged scope (S:U) limits impact to the vulnerable WSUS component, but complete compromise (C:H/I:H/A:H) grants SYSTEM-level control over update mechanisms. EPSS data not provided, but race conditions historically show lower exploitation rates due to technical difficulty. No CISA KEV listing indicates no confirmed active exploitation. However, the ubiquity of affected products (every Windows version since Server 2012) and the criticality of WSUS in enterprise environments elevate concern. Attackers with initial foothold could leverage this for domain escalation by compromising WSUS servers that distribute updates enterprise-wide. The high attack complexity serves as a natural barrier against opportunistic attacks but won't deter advanced persistent threat actors.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An authorized local user repeatedly sends concurrent requests to WSUS shared resources during update operations, exploiting unsynchronized access to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level before proper locking mechanisms engage.

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 – Apr 14, 2026

Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) race condition enables local privilege escalation to SYSTEM on Windows 10, 11, and Server 2012-2025. Authenticated users with low-level privileges can exploit improper synchronization in concurrent execution paths to gain full system control. Attack complexity is high (AC:H), requiring precise timing to win the race window. Vendor-released patches available for all affected versions. No public exploit identified at time of analysis, though the high CVSS 7.0 s

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
v1 Apr 14, 2026 - 19:14 CVSS 7.0

Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) race condition enables local privilege escalation to SYSTEM on Windows 10, 11, and Server 2012-2025. Authenticated users with low-level privileges can exploit improper synchronization in concurrent execution paths to gain full system control. Attack complexity is high (AC:H), requiring precise timing to win the race window. Vendor-released patches available for all affected versions. No public exploit identified at time of analysis, though the high CVSS 7.0 score reflects the severe impact of successful exploitation across Microsoft's entire Windows ecosystem.

RemediationAI

Apply Microsoft security updates immediately to patch the WSUS race condition. Upgrade to the following patched versions: Windows 10 Version 1607 and Server 2016 to build 10.0.14393.9060 or later, Windows 10 Version 1809 and Server 2019 to build 10.0.17763.8644 or later, Windows 10 Version 21H2 to build 10.0.19044.7184 or later, Windows 10 Version 22H2 to build 10.0.19045.7184 or later, Windows 11 Version 22H3/23H2 to build 10.0.22631.6936 or later, Windows 11 Version 24H2 and Server 2025 to build 10.0.26100.32690 or later, Windows 11 Version 25H2 to build 10.0.26200.8246 or later, Windows 11 Version 26H1 to build 10.0.28000.1836 or later, Windows Server 2012 to build 6.2.9200.26026 or later, Windows Server 2012 R2 to build 6.3.9600.23132 or later, Windows Server 2022 to build 10.0.20348.5020 or later, and Windows Server 2022 23H2 Edition to build 10.0.25398

Affected VersionsENISA

Windows 11 Version 25H2 10.0.26200.0 <10.0.26200.8246
Windows Server 2022, 23H2 Edition (Server Core installation) 10.0.25398.0 <10.0.25398.2274
Windows Server 2012 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26026
Windows 10 Version 1607 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9060
Windows 11 version 22H3 10.0.22631.0 <10.0.22631.6936
Windows Server 2016 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9060
Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.32690
Windows 11 Version 23H2 10.0.22631.0 <10.0.22631.6936
Windows 11 Version 24H2 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.32690
Windows Server 2022 10.0.20348.0 <10.0.20348.5020
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) 6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.23132
Windows Server 2019 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.8644
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9060
Windows Server 2012 R2 6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.23132
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.32690
Windows 10 Version 21H2 10.0.19044.0 <10.0.19044.7184
Windows 10 Version 1809 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.8644
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.8644
Windows 11 version 26H1 10.0.28000.0 <10.0.28000.1836
Windows 10 Version 22H2 10.0.19045.0 <10.0.19045.7184
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26026

Affected Packages

microsoft windows_10_version_1607_10_0_14393_9060 fix: Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems 10.0.14393.9060, Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems 10.0.14393.9060
microsoft windows_10_version_1809_10_0_17763_8644 fix: Windows 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems 10.0.17763.8644, Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems 10.0.17763.8644
microsoft windows_10_version_21h2_10_0_19044_7184 fix: Windows 10 Version 21H2 for 32-bit Systems 10.0.19044.7184, Windows 10 Version 21H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.19044.7184, Windows 10 Version 21H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.19044.7184
microsoft windows_10_version_22h2_10_0_19045_7184 fix: Windows 10 Version 22H2 for 32-bit Systems 10.0.19045.7184, Windows 10 Version 22H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.19045.7184, Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.19045.7184
microsoft windows_11_version_23h2_10_0_22631_6936 fix: Windows 11 Version 23H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.22631.6936, Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.22631.6936
microsoft windows_11_version_24h2_10_0_26100_32690 fix: Windows 11 Version 24H2 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.26100.32690, Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.26100.32690
microsoft windows_11_version_25h2_10_0_26200_8246 fix: Windows 11 Version 25H2 for ARM systems 10.0.26200.8246, Windows 11 Version 25H2 for x64-based Systems 10.0.26200.8246
microsoft windows_11_version_26h1_10_0_28000_1836 fix: Windows 11 Version 26H1 for ARM64-based Systems 10.0.28000.1836, Windows 11 version 26H1 for x64-based Systems 10.0.28000.1836
microsoft windows_server_2012_6_2_9200_26026 fix: Windows Server 2012 6.2.9200.26026, Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) 6.2.9200.26026
microsoft windows_server_2012_r2_6_3_9600_23132 fix: Windows Server 2012 R2 6.3.9600.23132, Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) 6.3.9600.23132
microsoft windows_server_2016_10_0_14393_9060 fix: Windows Server 2016 10.0.14393.9060, Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) 10.0.14393.9060
microsoft windows_server_2019_10_0_17763_8644 fix: Windows Server 2019 10.0.17763.8644, Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) 10.0.17763.8644
microsoft windows_server_2022_10_0_20348_5020 fix: Windows Server 2022 10.0.20348.5020, Windows Server 2022 (Server Core installation) 10.0.20348.5020
microsoft windows_server_2022_23h2_edition_10_0_25398_2274 fix: Windows Server 2022, 23H2 Edition (Server Core installation) 10.0.25398.2274
microsoft windows_server_2025_10_0_26100_32690 fix: Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.32690, Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.32690
euvd windows_10_version_1607 fix: 10.0.14393.9060
euvd windows_10_version_1809 fix: 10.0.17763.8644
euvd windows_10_version_21h2 fix: 10.0.19044.7184
euvd windows_10_version_22h2 fix: 10.0.19045.7184
euvd windows_11_version_22h3 fix: 10.0.22631.6936
euvd windows_11_version_23h2 fix: 10.0.22631.6936
euvd windows_11_version_24h2 fix: 10.0.26100.32690
euvd windows_11_version_25h2 fix: 10.0.26200.8246
euvd windows_11_version_26h1 fix: 10.0.28000.1836
euvd windows_server_2012 fix: 6.2.9200.26026
euvd windows_server_2012_r2 fix: 6.3.9600.23132
euvd windows_server_2012_r2_server_core_installation fix: 6.3.9600.23132
euvd windows_server_2012_server_core_installation fix: 6.2.9200.26026
euvd windows_server_2016 fix: 10.0.14393.9060
euvd windows_server_2016_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.14393.9060
euvd windows_server_2019 fix: 10.0.17763.8644
euvd windows_server_2019_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.17763.8644
euvd windows_server_2022 fix: 10.0.20348.5020
euvd windows_server_2022_23h2_edition_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.25398.2274
euvd windows_server_2025 fix: 10.0.26100.32690
euvd windows_server_2025_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.26100.32690

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 36 packages in microsoft, euvd

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

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability (CWE-362) stems from a time-of-check-to-time-of-use (TOCTOU) flaw in Windows Server Update Service, a critical component that manages update distribution across Windows environments. WSUS handles privileged operations including package verification, registry modifications, and service control. The race condition occurs when multiple threads access shared resources without proper synchronization primitives (mutexes, semaphores, or atomic operations). An attacker with initial low-privilege access can manipulate the timing between resource checks and resource use, potentially injecting malicious operations during the vulnerable window. The vulnerability affects Windows 10 versions 1607 through 22H2, Windows 11 versions 22H3 through 26H1, and Windows Server from 2012 through 2025 (including Server Core installations), representing nearly the entire active Windows deployment base from build 6.2.9200.0 through 10.0.28000.x.

Know when Windows Server 2012 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

No credit card · 7-day full trial

Severity by source

Vendor (microsoft) PRIMARY 7.0 HIGH
AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CIRCL (temporal) 6.1 MEDIUM

Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft).

CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft

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

Lifecycle Timeline

2
Patch released
Apr 14, 2026 - 17:46 nvd
Patch available
CVE Published
Apr 14, 2026 - 16:57 nvd
HIGH 7.0

DescriptionCVE.org

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

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

CVE-2026-26174 is a high-severity privilege escalation flaw in Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) affecting Windows 10, 11, and Server 2012-2025 that allows authenticated local users to gain SYSTEM-level access through a race condition. Successful exploitation would grant attackers complete control over affected systems, creating a critical risk across enterprise Windows infrastructure. Patch availability and the requirement for local authentication with precise timing reduce immediate risk, but deployment should be prioritized to eliminate this pathway to full system compromise.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If patch deployment is delayed: (1) restrict local logon rights to essential administrators only; (2) implement application whitelisting on WSUS servers to prevent malicious execution; (3) enable detailed audit logging for process creation and privilege escalation attempts; (4) isolate WSUS infrastructure with network segmentation and monitor for unusual local account elevation activity.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.0%
Top 85% exploitable
Vendor Action
See Below
Required. The vulnerability documented by this CVE requires customer action to resolve.
Vendor Status
Publicly Disclosed:No
Exploited:No
Latest Software Release:Exploitation Less Likely
Data Quality
6 sources
Confidence: High

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
Scheduled
Exploitation
None
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable
No
Human Impact
High
Technical Impact
Total

Priority Score

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

Attack Technique

Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.

Race conditions occur when multiple concurrent requests exploit the brief time gap between checking a condition and acting upon it (TOCTOU - Time of Check, Time of Use).

CVE-2021-40444 HIGH POC
8.8 Sep 15

Windows MSHTML component contains a remote code execution vulnerability that allows attackers to craft malicious ActiveX

CVE-2021-34527 HIGH POC
8.8 Jul 02

<p>A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Print Spooler service improperly performs privileged fi

CVE-2017-0199 HIGH POC
7.8 Apr 12

Remote code execution in Microsoft Office 2007-2016 and Windows Vista through 10 allows attackers to execute arbitrary c

CVE-2022-30190 HIGH POC
7.8 Jun 01

Windows MSDT (Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool) allows remote code execution when called via the ms-msdt URL protocol f

CVE-2017-0147 HIGH POC
7.5 Mar 17

The SMBv1 server in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2; Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1; Windows 7 SP1; Windows 8.1; Windows

CVE-2018-8174 HIGH POC
7.5 May 09

The Windows VBScript engine contains a remote code execution vulnerability in object handling that allows full system co

CVE-2021-1675 HIGH POC
7.8 Jun 08

Windows Print Spooler Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no auth

CVE-2016-7255 HIGH POC
7.8 Nov 10

The Win32k kernel-mode driver in Windows Vista through Windows Server 2016 allows local privilege escalation, exploited

CVE-2023-36884 HIGH POC
7.5 Jul 11

Windows Search Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely explo

CVE-2019-1458 HIGH POC
7.8 Dec 10

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Win32k component fails to properly handle objects in

CVE-2018-8453 HIGH POC
7.8 Oct 10

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Win32k component fails to properly handle objects in

CVE-2021-42278 HIGH POC
7.5 Nov 10

Active Directory Domain Services Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerabilit

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