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CVE-2026-20941 Microsoft CVE debrief

AI-assisted PatchSiren debrief based on the supplied source corpus. The CVE record was published on 2026-01-13T18:16:21.530Z and has not been modified since then. CVE-2026-20941 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Host Process for Windows Tasks, allowing authorized attackers to elevate privileges locally through improper link resolution before file access. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8 and a vector of CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Affected products include Windows 11 24H2, Windows 11 25H2, and Windows Server 2025. The vulnerability is rated HIGH with a CVSS score of 7.8, indicating a significant elevation of privileges risk locally. Authorized attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain higher privileges. System administrators, security professionals, and IT teams responsible for Windows systems, especially those using Windows 11 24H2, Windows 11 25H2, and Windows Server 2025, should be aware of this vulnerability and take necessary actions to mitigate the risk.

Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Windows 11 Version 24H2
CVSS
HIGH 7.8
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-01-13
Original CVE updated
2026-07-30
Advisory published
2026-01-13
Advisory updated
2026-07-30

Who should care

System administrators, security professionals, and IT teams responsible for Windows systems, especially those using Windows 11 24H2, Windows 11 25H2, and Windows Server 2025, should be aware of this vulnerability and take necessary actions to mitigate the risk.

Technical summary

CVE-2026-20941 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Host Process for Windows Tasks, allowing authorized attackers to elevate privileges locally through improper link resolution before file access. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8 and a vector of CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Affected products include Windows 11 24H2, Windows 11 25H2, and Windows Server 2025.

Defensive priority

CVE-2026-20941 is rated HIGH with a CVSS score of 7.8, indicating a significant elevation of privileges risk locally. Authorized attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain higher privileges.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Review and apply vendor advisories for CVE-2026-20941
  • Implement compensating controls to limit local privilege escalation
  • Monitor system logs for suspicious activity related to Host Process for Windows Tasks
  • Ensure all systems are updated with the latest security patches

Evidence notes

The CVE-2026-20941 record indicates an improper link resolution before file access, also known as 'link following,' in the Host Process for Windows Tasks. This allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. The CVSS vector is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating a high severity vulnerability.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-20941 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-20941

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-20941 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-20941

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.