Windows 10 Version 1809: Weak Authentication
CVE-2026-94525 is a high-severity weak authentication vulnerability in Windows 10 Version 1809 from Microsoft, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.0 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists version 10.0.17763.9487 as the first without the flaw, so updating Windows 10 Version 1809 to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.27% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Windows 10 Version 1809 to 10.0.17763.9487 or a later version.
- Update Windows 10 Version 21H2 to 10.0.19044.7846 or a later version.
- Update Windows 10 Version 22H2 to 10.0.19045.7846 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on msrc.microsoft.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 1809 | 10.0.17763.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.17763.9487 | 10.0.17763.9487 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 21H2 | 10.0.19044.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.19044.7846 | 10.0.19044.7846 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 Version 22H2 | 10.0.19045.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.19045.7846 | 10.0.19045.7846 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 version 23H2 | 10.0.22631.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.22631.7711 | 10.0.22631.7711 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 Version 24H2 | 10.0.26100.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26100.9974 | 10.0.26100.9974 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 Version 25H2 | 10.0.26200.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26200.9974 | 10.0.26200.9974 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 version 26H1 | 10.0.28000.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.28000.3501 | 10.0.28000.3501 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 Version 26H2 | 10.0.26300.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26300.9974 | 10.0.26300.9974 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2019 | 10.0.17763.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.17763.9487 | 10.0.17763.9487 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) | 10.0.17763.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.17763.9487 | 10.0.17763.9487 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2022 | 10.0.20348.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.20348.5870 | 10.0.20348.5870 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2025 | 10.0.26100.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26100.33822 | 10.0.26100.33822 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) | 10.0.26100.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26100.33822 | 10.0.26100.33822 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (microsoft.com).
Official description
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows Error Reporting (WER) when WER handles and executes files. The vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker can successfully exploit it. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could gain greater access to sensitive information and system functionality. To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker could run a specially crafted application. The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the way that WER handles and executes files.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Weak Authentication
The product uses an authentication mechanism to restrict access to specific users or identities, but the mechanism does not sufficiently prove that the claimed identity is correct.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Recent Weak Authentication vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
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