CVE-2026-50364: CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21H2
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Server Backup allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability, identified as CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access), exists in Windows Server Backup on Windows 10 Version 21H2 (build 10.0.19044.0). It allows an attacker with local authorized access to escalate privileges by exploiting improper handling of symbolic links before accessing files. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.3, indicating high severity, with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Microsoft has released an official fix to address this issue.
Potential Impact
An authorized local attacker can exploit this vulnerability to elevate privileges on the affected system, potentially gaining higher-level access than intended. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the 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 in the Microsoft advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50364 to remediate this vulnerability.
CVE-2026-50364: CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21H2
Description
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Server Backup allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.3high
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability, identified as CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access), exists in Windows Server Backup on Windows 10 Version 21H2 (build 10.0.19044.0). It allows an attacker with local authorized access to escalate privileges by exploiting improper handling of symbolic links before accessing files. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.3, indicating high severity, with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Microsoft has released an official fix to address this issue.
Potential Impact
An authorized local attacker can exploit this vulnerability to elevate privileges on the affected system, potentially gaining higher-level access than intended. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the 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 in the Microsoft advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50364 to remediate this vulnerability.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- microsoft
- Date Reserved
- 2026-06-04T18:48:26.815Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- official-fix
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50364","vendor":"Microsoft"}]
Threat ID: 6a566f7668715ace43e6b90b
Added to database: 07/14/2026, 17:18:46 UTC
Last enriched: 08/13/2026, 14:40:43 UTC
Last updated: 08/26/2026, 04:50:07 UTC
Views: 83
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