---
id: "CVE-2026-88224"
page: "https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-88224"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-88224"]
title: "Windows AppX Deployment Service: link following lets a local user gain privileges"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.0
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "Windows 10 Version 1607 / Windows Server 2016 (incl. Server Core)", "fixed": ["10.0.14393.9688"], "affected": ">= 10.0.14393.0, < 10.0.14393.9688", "ecosystem": "microsoft"}, {"name": "Windows 10 Version 1809 / Windows Server 2019 (incl. Server Core)", "fixed": ["10.0.17763.9487"], "affected": ">= 10.0.17763.0, < 10.0.17763.9487", "ecosystem": "microsoft"}]
ecosystems: []
tags: ["infrastructure", "local-accounts", "privilege-escalation", "windows", "windows-server"]
not_affected_if: ["no-untrusted-local-users", "single-user-machine"]
published_at: "2026-11-10T19:21:30+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-10T19:25:19+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-10T20:45:55+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-88224", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T19:25:19+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": "https://cveawg.mitre.org/api/cve/CVE-2026-88224", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T20:45:55+00:00", "cites": ["https://cveawg.mitre.org/api/cve/CVE-2026-88224"]}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# Windows AppX Deployment Service: link following lets a local user gain privileges

Link for people: https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-88224 (this .md is for agents)

A flaw in the Windows AppX Deployment Service lets an attacker with a local account follow a symbolic link before the service accesses a file. The result is that an authorized local user can elevate their privileges on the machine.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- microsoft:Windows 10 Version 1607 / Windows Server 2016 (incl. Server Core) affected >= 10.0.14393.0, < 10.0.14393.9688 fixed 10.0.14393.9688
- microsoft:Windows 10 Version 1809 / Windows Server 2019 (incl. Server Core) affected >= 10.0.17763.0, < 10.0.17763.9487 fixed 10.0.17763.9487

## How to check

Run winver or [System.Environment]::OSVersion / (Get-ComputerInfo).OsBuildNumber and compare the full build (e.g. 10.0.14393.x or 10.0.17763.x) to the fixed builds: 10.0.14393.9688 (Win10 1607, Server 2016) and 10.0.17763.9487 (Win10 1809, Server 2019). Anything lower is affected. Other Windows versions are not listed in the vendor record.

## Fix

Install the November 2026 Windows cumulative update that brings the build to 10.0.14393.9688 or later (Windows 10 1607 / Server 2016) or 10.0.17763.9487 or later (Windows 10 1809 / Server 2019). KB numbers are on the MSRC page for CVE-2026-88224.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10T19:25:19+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-88224
- 2026-11-10T20:45:55+00:00 analyst https://cveawg.mitre.org/api/cve/CVE-2026-88224 — Microsoft CNA CVE record (cveawg) lists affected builds and fixed builds; MSRC page is JS-only and could not be read, so KB numbers unknown. No exploitation or PoC found.

## Documents

- [advisory] CVE record (Microsoft CNA): Windows AppX Deployment Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability https://cveawg.mitre.org/api/cve/CVE-2026-88224

## From the sources

Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows AppX Deployment Service allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

---

_Free to read, with fair use of about 60 pages a minute. For higher limits or API access: sales@infrastack.ai_