Description
Concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization ('race condition') in Windows Server Update Service allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Published: 2026-04-14
Score: 7 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Privilege Escalation
Action: Immediate Patch
AI Analysis

Impact

Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) contains a race condition due to improper synchronization of a shared resource. The flaw creates a concurrency issue (CWE‑362) combined with a use‑after‑free scenario (CWE‑416). An attacker who is already authenticated on the local system can trigger concurrent operations and manipulate WSUS internal state, resulting in elevated privileges. Once the exploitation succeeds, the attacker can execute arbitrary code with administrative rights, modify system configuration, or deploy malware, effectively gaining full control of the machine.

Affected Systems

All Windows 10 builds 1607 through 26H1, Windows 11 builds 23H2 to 26H1, and Windows Server editions from 2012 to 2025—including core installations—are affected. The vulnerability resides in the WSUS component that runs on these operating systems. Users of any of these versions should verify whether WSUS is installed and running on their systems.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7 denotes medium severity, and the lack of an EPSS score or CISA KEV listing suggests limited exploitation activity to date. Exploitation requires a local user with authorized credentials capable of invoking the race condition against WSUS. Once elevated, the attacker gains full administrative authority, presenting a high impact if not mitigated.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 14, 2026 at 19:31 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE‑2026‑26174 via Windows Update or the Microsoft Security Advisory page
  • Confirm that the update has been installed on all affected Windows and Server systems listed above
  • Reboot impacted machines if the update requires a restart to complete installation

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 14, 2026 at 19:31 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Microsoft windows 10 21h2
Microsoft windows 10 22h2
Microsoft windows 11 22h3
Microsoft windows 11 23h2
Microsoft windows 11 24h2
Microsoft windows 11 25h2
Microsoft windows 11 26h1
Microsoft windows Server 2012 (server Core Installation)
Microsoft windows Server 2012 R2
Microsoft windows Server 2012 R2 (server Core Installation)
Microsoft windows Server 2016 (server Core Installation)
Microsoft windows Server 2019 (server Core Installation)
Microsoft windows Server 2022, 23h2 Edition (server Core Installation)
Microsoft windows Server 2025 (server Core Installation)
Vendors & Products Microsoft windows 10 21h2
Microsoft windows 10 22h2
Microsoft windows 11 22h3
Microsoft windows 11 23h2
Microsoft windows 11 24h2
Microsoft windows 11 25h2
Microsoft windows 11 26h1
Microsoft windows Server 2012 (server Core Installation)
Microsoft windows Server 2012 R2
Microsoft windows Server 2012 R2 (server Core Installation)
Microsoft windows Server 2016 (server Core Installation)
Microsoft windows Server 2019 (server Core Installation)
Microsoft windows Server 2022, 23h2 Edition (server Core Installation)
Microsoft windows Server 2025 (server Core Installation)

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization ('race condition') in Windows Server Update Service allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Title Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
First Time appeared Microsoft
Microsoft windows 10 1607
Microsoft windows 10 1809
Microsoft windows 10 21h2
Microsoft windows 10 22h2
Microsoft windows 11 23h2
Microsoft windows 11 24h2
Microsoft windows 11 25h2
Microsoft windows 11 26h1
Microsoft windows Server 2012
Microsoft windows Server 2012 R2
Microsoft windows Server 2016
Microsoft windows Server 2019
Microsoft windows Server 2022
Microsoft windows Server 2025
Microsoft windows Server 23h2
Weaknesses CWE-362
CWE-416
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21H2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22H2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_23H2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_23H2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24H2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25H2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_26H1:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012_R2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_23h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Microsoft
Microsoft windows 10 1607
Microsoft windows 10 1809
Microsoft windows 10 21h2
Microsoft windows 10 22h2
Microsoft windows 11 23h2
Microsoft windows 11 24h2
Microsoft windows 11 25h2
Microsoft windows 11 26h1
Microsoft windows Server 2012
Microsoft windows Server 2012 R2
Microsoft windows Server 2016
Microsoft windows Server 2019
Microsoft windows Server 2022
Microsoft windows Server 2025
Microsoft windows Server 23h2
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C'}


Subscriptions

Microsoft Windows 10 1607 Windows 10 1809 Windows 10 21h2 Windows 10 21h2 Windows 10 22h2 Windows 10 22h2 Windows 11 22h3 Windows 11 23h2 Windows 11 23h2 Windows 11 24h2 Windows 11 24h2 Windows 11 25h2 Windows 11 25h2 Windows 11 26h1 Windows 11 26h1 Windows Server 2012 Windows Server 2012 (server Core Installation) Windows Server 2012 R2 Windows Server 2012 R2 Windows Server 2012 R2 (server Core Installation) Windows Server 2016 Windows Server 2016 (server Core Installation) Windows Server 2019 Windows Server 2019 (server Core Installation) Windows Server 2022 Windows Server 2022, 23h2 Edition (server Core Installation) Windows Server 2025 Windows Server 2025 (server Core Installation) Windows Server 23h2
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: microsoft

Published:

Updated: 2026-04-20T20:24:25.722Z

Reserved: 2026-02-11T18:33:57.777Z

Link: CVE-2026-26174

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-04-14T19:12:17.990Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2026-04-14T18:16:52.353

Modified: 2026-04-17T15:10:35.607

Link: CVE-2026-26174

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-04-15T21:02:43Z

Weaknesses