CVE-2026-21232CWE-822

Windows HTTP.sys Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

High · published February 10, 2026

CVSS v3.1
7.8
EPSS
0%
Percentile
37.7
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚡ A sneaky untrusted pointer dereference in Windows HTTP.sys could let an attacker boost their privileges locally, like a guest sneaking into the VIP lounge! Think of it like having a special pass for the hotel lobby but somehow getting access to the penthouse suite. An attacker with this vulnerability could easily escalate their privileges and take control of the system. This could lead to an attacker gaining full control over the system, allowing them to install malicious software, access sensitive information, and even manipulate system settings. With a privilege elevation like this, the consequences can be absolutely devastating!

Put simply

Think of it like having a special pass for the hotel lobby but somehow getting access to the penthouse suite. An attacker with this vulnerability could easily escalate their privileges and take control of the system. The vulnerability occurs due to improper handling of pointers within HTTP.sys, which can allow an authorized user to execute commands with elevated privileges, bypassing normal security measures.

What to do

This could lead to an attacker gaining full control over the system, allowing them to install malicious software, access sensitive information, and even manipulate system settings. With a privilege elevation like this, the consequences can be absolutely devastating! To mitigate this risk, ensure you apply the latest security patches from Microsoft that address this vulnerability. Regularly review and update your system configurations to limit unauthorized access. It’s essential to monitor user permissions closely to ensure that only authorized users have elevated privileges. You've got this! Take these steps and secure your system from this vulnerability. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
7.8 · HIGH
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.00445 · 37.7th percentile
Weakness
CWE-822 · Untrusted Pointer Dereference
Published
2026-02-10T17:51Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 10 FEB 17:51Z
    Windows HTTP.sys Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
    cvelistv5