Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows_10_1607
CVE-2026-21533
Improper privilege management in Windows Remote Desktop allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Vulnerability class: Privilege Escalation
EPSS: 0.038 (89.0th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 7.8 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Affected products
- Microsoft Windows_10_1607
- Microsoft Windows_10_1809
- Microsoft Windows_10_21h2
- Microsoft Windows_10_22h2
- Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607 — versions 10.0.14393.0
- Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 — versions 10.0.17763.0
- Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21h2 — versions 10.0.19044.0
- Microsoft Windows 10 Version 22h2 — versions 10.0.19045.0
- Microsoft Windows_11_23h2
- Microsoft Windows_11_24h2
Weakness classification (CWE)
CISA KEV (Known Exploited Vulnerabilities)
This CVE is on the CISA KEV catalog, added on . CISA KEV inclusion means CISA has confirmed in-the-wild exploitation; US federal agencies are required to remediate within a published due date.
BOD 22-01 due date: .
Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Public proof-of-concept exploits
References
- secure@microsoft.com (vendor-advisory, patch, Vendor Advisory)
- af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108 (Third Party Advisory)
- af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108 (Mitigation, Third Party Advisory)
- 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 (US Government Resource)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2026-21533?
- CVE-2026-21533 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows_10_1607, classified under Improper Privilege Management. CVSS score: 7.8/10. Published 2026-02-10.
- How severe is CVE-2026-21533?
- High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.8 out of 10.
- Is CVE-2026-21533 known to be exploited?
- Yes. CVE-2026-21533 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog (added 2026-02-10), indicating it is being actively exploited. 1 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed.