---
id: "CVE-2026-88237"
page: "https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-88237"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-88237"]
title: "Windows Subsystem for Linux: use-after-free lets a local user gain higher privileges"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.0
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["infrastructure", "windows", "wsl"]
not_affected_if: ["wsl-not-installed"]
published_at: "2026-11-10T19:21:32+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-10T19:25:20+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-10T20:42:11+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-88237", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T19:25:20+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": null, "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T20:42:11+00:00"}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# Windows Subsystem for Linux: use-after-free lets a local user gain higher privileges

Link for people: https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-88237 (this .md is for agents)

A use-after-free bug in the Windows Subsystem for Linux lets an attacker who already has a local account elevate their privileges. The sources give a CVSS score of 7.0 and no public exploitation.

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

## How to check

- Run `wsl --version` in PowerShell (or `wsl --status`) to see whether WSL is installed and its version. If WSL is not installed or the optional feature is off, you can skip this.
- Open https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-88237 and compare the WSL version / Windows build it lists with yours (`winver`). The fixed version is not confirmed in the sources we could read.
- Meanwhile, install the latest Windows cumulative update and update WSL (`wsl --update`).

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10T19:25:20+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-88237
- 2026-11-10T20:42:11+00:00 analyst — Could not read Microsoft's advisory (MSRC page is JS-only, returned empty; NVD page gave no detail; CVRF too large). No fixed version, KB or affected builds confirmed; nothing verified. Fix status set to unknown (triage's 'none' had no source). Revisit when MSRC/KB data is readable. X search not run.

## From the sources

Use after free in Windows Subsystem for Linux 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_