CVE-2026-57973: Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2) Kernel Tampering Vulnerability

Overview

Severity

Medium (CVSS 6.3)

CVSS Vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

Category

Tampering

Exploit Status

Not Exploited

Exploitation Likelihood

Less Likely

Patch Tuesday

2026-Jul

Released

2026-07-14

EPSS Score

0.16% (percentile: 5.4%)

Description

Time-of-check time-of-use (toctou) race condition in Windows Subsystem for Linux allows an authorized attacker to perform tampering locally.

Affected Products (1)

Open Source Software

• Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2)

Security Updates (1)

• Release Notes

Acknowledgments

<a href="https://github.com/0x00000ff">Kangjun Heo</a> with <a href="https://plus.cnu.ac.kr/">Chungnam National University</a>, <a href="https://github.com/riddhimaan-sth404">Riddhimaan Singh</a>

Revision History

• 2026-07-14: Information published.