Link following in Microsoft Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2026-45586

Vulnerability identifier: #VU134447

CSH Severity: Low

CVSS v4: 8.5 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]

CVE-ID: CVE-2026-45586

CWE-ID: CWE-59

Exploitation vector: Local access

Exploit availability: No public exploit available

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to an insecure link following issue in Windows Collaborative Translation Framework (CTFMON). A local user can create a specially crafted symbolic link to a critical file on the system and overwrite it with privileges of the application.

Microsoft Windows
Windows Server

Install updates from vendor's website.

Microsoft Windows - addressed in versions 10 21H2 10.0.19044.7417, 10 22H2 10.0.19045.7417, 10 1607 10.0.14393.9234, 10 1809 10.0.17763.8880, 11 23H2 10.0.22631.7219, 11 24H2 10.0.26100.8655, 11 25H2 10.0.26200.8655, 11 26H1 10.0.28000.2269
Windows Server - addressed in versions 2004 10.0.19045.7417, 2012 R2 6.3.9600.23228, 2012 6.2.9200.26132, 2016 10.0.14393.9234, 2019 10.0.17763.8880, 2022 10.0.20348.5256, 2025 10.0.26100.32995

• https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-45586

• Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows Collaborative Translation Framework (CTFMON)