CVE-2026-20938: Windows Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Enclave Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Overview

Severity

High (CVSS 7.8)

CVSS 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

Category

Elevation of Privilege

Exploit Status

Not Exploited

Exploitation Likelihood

Less Likely

Patch Tuesday

2026-Jan

Released

2026-01-13

EPSS Score

0.03% (percentile: 10.2%)

Description

Untrusted pointer dereference in Windows Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Enclave allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

FAQ

What privileges could be gained by an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability? An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain Virtual Trust Level 1 (VTL1) privileges.

Affected Products (6)

Windows

• Windows 11 Version 25H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 24H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 23H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 25H2 for ARM64-based Systems

Security Updates (2)

• 5074109
• 5073455

Revision History

• 2026-01-13: Information published.