Absolute Path Traversal in Microsoft Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2026-119954

Vulnerability identifier: #VU165374

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-2026-119954

CWE-ID: CWE-36

Exploitation vector: Local access

Exploit availability: No public exploit available

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges to SYSTEM.

The vulnerability exists due to absolute path traversal in the Microsoft Windows Search Component when processing file paths. A local user can supply a crafted absolute path that references a location outside the intended directory to escalate privileges to SYSTEM.

Microsoft Windows
Windows Server

Install security update from vendor's website.

Microsoft Windows - addressed in versions 10 21H2 10.0.19044.7846, 10 22H2 10.0.19045.7846, 10 1809 10.0.17763.9487, 11 23H2 10.0.22631.7711, 11 24H2 10.0.26100.9911, 11 24H2 10.0.26100.9974, 11 25H2 10.0.26200.9911, 11 25H2 10.0.26200.9974, 11 26H1 10.0.28000.3501
Windows Server - addressed in versions 2019 10.0.17763.9487, 2022 10.0.20348.5870, 2025 10.0.26100.33730, 2025 10.0.26100.33822

• https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2026-119954
• https://support.microsoft.com/help/5131085

• Multiple vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows