CVE-2026-20938: CWE-822: Untrusted Pointer Dereference in Microsoft Windows 11 version 23H2
Untrusted pointer dereference in Windows Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Enclave allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-20938 is a vulnerability classified as CWE-822 (Untrusted Pointer Dereference) affecting Windows 11 version 23H2 (build 10.0.22631.0). The issue exists within the Windows Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Enclave component and permits a local attacker with some authorization to escalate privileges. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, indicating high severity, with impacts to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Microsoft has published an official fix for this vulnerability.
Potential Impact
An authorized local attacker can exploit this vulnerability to elevate privileges, potentially gaining higher system rights. The CVSS score reflects high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official fix is available from Microsoft. Users and administrators should apply the security update provided by Microsoft for Windows 11 version 23H2 (build 10.0.22631.0) as detailed in the Microsoft advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-20938. No additional mitigation steps are indicated beyond applying the official patch.
CVE-2026-20938: CWE-822: Untrusted Pointer Dereference in Microsoft Windows 11 version 23H2
Description
Untrusted pointer dereference in Windows Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Enclave allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.8high
Affected software
Microsoft
Windows 11 version 23H2
Microsoft
Windows 11 Version 23H2
Microsoft
Windows 11 Version 24H2
Microsoft
Windows 11 Version 25H2
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-20938 is a vulnerability classified as CWE-822 (Untrusted Pointer Dereference) affecting Windows 11 version 23H2 (build 10.0.22631.0). The issue exists within the Windows Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Enclave component and permits a local attacker with some authorization to escalate privileges. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, indicating high severity, with impacts to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Microsoft has published an official fix for this vulnerability.
Potential Impact
An authorized local attacker can exploit this vulnerability to elevate privileges, potentially gaining higher system rights. The CVSS score reflects high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official fix is available from Microsoft. Users and administrators should apply the security update provided by Microsoft for Windows 11 version 23H2 (build 10.0.22631.0) as detailed in the Microsoft advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-20938. No additional mitigation steps are indicated beyond applying the official patch.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- microsoft
- Date Reserved
- 2025-12-04T20:04:16.337Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- official-fix
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-20938","vendor":"Microsoft"}]
Threat ID: 69668ae4a60475309f9ae1ff
Added to database: 01/13/2026, 18:11:48 UTC
Last enriched: 07/30/2026, 23:38:51 UTC
Last updated: 09/10/2026, 22:25:50 UTC
Views: 254
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