Jan 2026: Windows File Explorer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
CVE-2026-20808 Published on January 13, 2026
Windows File Explorer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization ('race condition') in Printer Association Object allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Weakness Type
What is a Race Condition Vulnerability?
The program contains a code sequence that can run concurrently with other code, and the code sequence requires temporary, exclusive access to a shared resource, but a timing window exists in which the shared resource can be modified by another code sequence that is operating concurrently.
CVE-2026-20808 has been classified to as a Race Condition vulnerability or weakness.
Products Associated with CVE-2026-20808
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Affected Versions
Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24H2:- Version 10.0.26100.0 and below 10.0.26100.7623 is affected.
- Version 10.0.26200.0 and below 10.0.26200.7623 is affected.
- Version 10.0.25398.0 and below 10.0.25398.2092 is affected.
- Version 10.0.26100.0 and below 10.0.26100.32230 is affected.
- Version 10.0.26100.0 and below 10.0.26100.32230 is affected.
Exploit Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) scores estimate the probability that a vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. The percentile shows you how this score compares to all other vulnerabilities.