CVE-2026-21533KEV · OVERDUECWE-269

Windows Remote Desktop Services Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

High · published February 10, 2026

Patch now

Confirmed exploited, and the score agrees

CVSS calls it high at 7.8. It is confirmed in active exploitation. It sits in the 90.8th percentile for exploit probability.

235
days past CISA
deadline
CVSS v3.1
7.8
EPSS
4%
Percentile
90.8
In the wild
Confirmed
What it is

🚨 This isn't just a minor oversight—improper privilege management in Windows Remote Desktop could let an attacker elevate their local privileges with ease! ⚡ Think of it like a guest in a hotel who finds a master key left unguarded at the front desk. With that key, they can access any room, bypassing all security checks and potentially wreaking havoc. An attacker who gains this privilege could access sensitive information, modify system settings, or install malicious software, turning your secure system into their playground. It’s like leaving the backdoor wide open for intruders—absolutely devastating!

Put simply

Think of it like a guest in a hotel who finds a master key left unguarded at the front desk. With that key, they can access any room, bypassing all security checks and potentially wreaking havoc. This vulnerability exists due to inadequate controls on user permissions in Windows Remote Desktop, allowing authorized users to escalate their privileges locally without proper checks.

What to do

An attacker who gains this privilege could access sensitive information, modify system settings, or install malicious software, turning your secure system into their playground. It’s like leaving the backdoor wide open for intruders—absolutely devastating! To mitigate this threat, ensure all systems are updated with the latest patches from Microsoft. Strengthen user permissions, and audit remote access settings to limit exposure. Don't forget to review your access logs for any suspicious activity! You've got this! With a few tweaks, you can secure your Remote Desktop setup in no time. 🛡️

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:F/RL:O/RC:C
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.04148 · 90.8th percentile
Weakness
CWE-269 · Improper Privilege Management
Published
2026-02-10T17:51Z
KEV added
2026-02-10 · due 2026-03-03
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 10 FEB 17:51Z
    Windows Remote Desktop Services Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
    cvelistv5
  • 10 FEB 00:00Z
    Added to CISA KEV — remediate by Mar 3
    kev