AI description
Automated description summarized from trusted sources.
CVE-2026-20941 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability found in the Host Process for Windows Tasks. This flaw stems from improper link resolution before file access, often referred to as "link following" (CWE-59). An authorized attacker with local access to the system can exploit this vulnerability to elevate their privileges. Specifically, the vulnerability can be leveraged by manipulating symbolic links and junction points, potentially through the `\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsAI\Recall\PolicyConfiguration` scheduled task, to trick the Host Process for Windows Tasks into performing unauthorized file operations. This issue affects Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, as well as Windows Server 2025.
- Description
- Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Host Process for Windows Tasks allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
- Source
- secure@microsoft.com
- NVD status
- Analyzed
- Products
- windows_11_24h2, windows_11_25h2, windows_server_2025
CVSS 3.1
- Type
- Primary
- Base score
- 7.8
- Impact score
- 5.9
- Exploitability score
- 1.8
- Vector string
- CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Severity
- HIGH
- secure@microsoft.com
- CWE-59
- Hype score
- Not currently trending
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