CVE-2026-20941: CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') in Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24H2
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Host Process for Windows Tasks allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability (CWE-59) in Windows 11 Version 24H2 (build 10.0.26100.0) occurs due to improper link resolution before file access in the Host Process for Windows Tasks. An authorized attacker with local access can leverage this flaw to elevate their privileges on the affected system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating high severity, with impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Microsoft has released an official fix to remediate this issue as documented in their security update guide.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows a local authorized attacker to elevate privileges, potentially gaining higher system rights. This can lead to full system compromise affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official fix is available from Microsoft. It is strongly recommended to apply the security update provided in the Microsoft advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-20941 to remediate this vulnerability.
CVE-2026-20941: CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') in Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24H2
Description
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Host Process for Windows Tasks allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.8high
Affected software
Microsoft
Windows 11 Version 24H2
Microsoft
Windows 11 Version 25H2
Microsoft
Windows Server 2025
Microsoft
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation)
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability (CWE-59) in Windows 11 Version 24H2 (build 10.0.26100.0) occurs due to improper link resolution before file access in the Host Process for Windows Tasks. An authorized attacker with local access can leverage this flaw to elevate their privileges on the affected system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating high severity, with impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Microsoft has released an official fix to remediate this issue as documented in their security update guide.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows a local authorized attacker to elevate privileges, potentially gaining higher system rights. This can lead to full system compromise affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official fix is available from Microsoft. It is strongly recommended to apply the security update provided in the Microsoft advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-20941 to remediate this vulnerability.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- microsoft
- Date Reserved
- 2025-12-04T20:04:16.338Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- official-fix
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-20941","vendor":"Microsoft"}]
Threat ID: 69668ae4a60475309f9ae208
Added to database: 01/13/2026, 18:11:48 UTC
Last enriched: 07/30/2026, 23:38:20 UTC
Last updated: 09/10/2026, 22:25:38 UTC
Views: 189
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