High · published January 13, 2026
⚡ A clever timing trick in Windows Installer can let an attacker elevate privileges with just the right conditions! Think of it like a construction site where a worker suddenly swaps blueprints without anyone noticing, allowing them to build whatever they want — that’s how a race condition lets attackers gain unauthorized power! This means an attacker could potentially gain control over system settings, install unwanted software, or even access sensitive data. The ability to elevate privileges locally could lead to devastating consequences if exploited!
Think of it like a construction site where a worker suddenly swaps blueprints without anyone noticing, allowing them to build whatever they want — that’s how a race condition lets attackers gain unauthorized power! This vulnerability stems from a time-of-check to time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition in Windows Installer, where the system fails to properly validate a condition before executing commands, allowing an attacker to manipulate the behavior during that brief window.
This means an attacker could potentially gain control over system settings, install unwanted software, or even access sensitive data. The ability to elevate privileges locally could lead to devastating consequences if exploited! To protect yourself, apply the latest updates from Microsoft immediately. Also, consider implementing stricter access controls to limit which accounts can execute installers, and always monitor for unusual activity on your systems. You've got this! Follow these steps and your system will be locked down tightly. 🛡️
| Product | Versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| microsoft/windows_10_1607 | < 10.0.14393.8783 | 10.0.14393.8783 |
| microsoft/windows_10_1607 | < 10.0.14393.8783 | 10.0.14393.8783 |
| microsoft/windows_10_1809 | < 10.0.17763.8276 | 10.0.17763.8276 |
| microsoft/windows_10_1809 | < 10.0.17763.8276 | 10.0.17763.8276 |
| microsoft/windows_10_21h2 | < 10.0.19044.6809 | 10.0.19044.6809 |
| microsoft/windows_10_22h2 | < 10.0.19045.6809 | 10.0.19045.6809 |
| microsoft/windows_11_23h2 | < 10.0.22631.6491 | 10.0.22631.6491 |
| microsoft/windows_11_24h2 | < 10.0.26100.7623 | 10.0.26100.7623 |
| microsoft/windows_11_25h2 | < 10.0.26200.7623 | 10.0.26200.7623 |
| microsoft/windows_server_2008 | all versions | — |
| microsoft/windows_server_2008 | all versions | — |
| microsoft/windows_server_2008 | all versions | — |
| microsoft/windows_server_2012 | all versions | — |
| microsoft/windows_server_2012 | all versions | — |
| microsoft/windows_server_2016 | < 10.0.14393.8783 | 10.0.14393.8783 |
| microsoft/windows_server_2019 | < 10.0.17763.8276 | 10.0.17763.8276 |
| microsoft/windows_server_2022 | < 10.0.20348.4648 | 10.0.20348.4648 |
| microsoft/windows_server_2022_23h2 | < 10.0.25398.2092 | 10.0.25398.2092 |
| microsoft/windows_server_2025 | < 10.0.26100.32230 | 10.0.26100.32230 |