CVE-2026-42989: CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Winlogon allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability (CVE-2026-42989) is classified as CWE-59, improper link resolution before file access ('link following'), in the Winlogon component of Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607 (build 10.0.14393.0). It allows a local attacker with some authorization to elevate privileges by exploiting how symbolic links or similar references are resolved before accessing files. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating high severity with impacts on 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 their privileges on the affected system, potentially gaining higher-level access than intended. This can lead to full system compromise, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official fix is available from Microsoft. Users and administrators should apply the security update provided in the Microsoft advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-42989 to remediate this vulnerability.
CVE-2026-42989: CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607
Description
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Winlogon allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.8high
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability (CVE-2026-42989) is classified as CWE-59, improper link resolution before file access ('link following'), in the Winlogon component of Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607 (build 10.0.14393.0). It allows a local attacker with some authorization to elevate privileges by exploiting how symbolic links or similar references are resolved before accessing files. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating high severity with impacts on 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 their privileges on the affected system, potentially gaining higher-level access than intended. This can lead to full system compromise, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official fix is available from Microsoft. Users and administrators should apply the security update provided in the Microsoft advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-42989 to remediate this vulnerability.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- microsoft
- Date Reserved
- 2026-04-30T23:43:50.746Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- official-fix
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-42989","vendor":"Microsoft"}]
Threat ID: 6a284ccb8dd33fbd8566495d
Added to database: 06/09/2026, 17:26:35 UTC
Last enriched: 07/29/2026, 21:50:40 UTC
Last updated: 07/31/2026, 21:26:44 UTC
Views: 95
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