Link following in Microsoft Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2026-122177

Vulnerability identifier: #VU165460

CSH Severity: Medium

CVSS v4: 7.1 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]

CVE-ID: CVE-2026-122177

CWE-ID: CWE-59

Exploitation vector: Remote access

Exploit availability: No public exploit available

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges to SYSTEM on an affected system.

The vulnerability exists due to improper link resolution before file access in Windows iSCSI when following file links. A remote attacker can exploit incorrect link following over a network, with user interaction, to gain SYSTEM privileges.

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 1607 10.0.14393.9688, 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 2016 10.0.14393.9688, 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-2026-122177

• Multiple vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows