CVE-2026-20834: Windows Spoofing Vulnerability

Published Jan 13, 2026
·
Updated

Absolute path traversal in Windows Shell allows an unauthorized attacker to perform spoofing with a physical attack.

Affected Software

54 affected componentsFixes available
Microsoft Windows 10 1607<10.0.14393.8783
Microsoft Windows 10 1607<10.0.14393.8783
Microsoft Windows 10 1809<10.0.17763.8276
Microsoft Windows 10 1809<10.0.17763.8276
Microsoft Windows 10 21h2<10.0.19044.6809
Microsoft Windows 10 22h2<10.0.19045.6809
Microsoft Windows 11 23h2<10.0.22631.6491
Microsoft Windows 11 24h2<10.0.26100.7623
Microsoft Windows 11 25h2<10.0.26200.7623
Microsoft Windows Server 2008=sp2
Microsoft Windows Server 2008=sp2
Microsoft Windows Server 2008=r2-sp1
Microsoft Windows Server 2012
Microsoft Windows Server 2012=r2
Microsoft Windows Server 2016<10.0.14393.8783
Microsoft Windows Server 2019<10.0.17763.8276
Microsoft Windows Server 2022<10.0.20348.4648
Microsoft Windows Server 2022 23h2<10.0.25398.2092
Microsoft Windows Server 2025<10.0.26100.32230
Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2<6.3.9600.22968
6.3.9600.22968
Microsoft Windows Server 2008<6.0.6003.23717
6.0.6003.23717
Microsoft Windows Server 2012<6.2.9200.25868
6.2.9200.25868
Microsoft Windows Server 2012<6.2.9200.25868
6.2.9200.25868
Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2<6.3.9600.22968
6.3.9600.22968
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2<6.1.7601.28117
6.1.7601.28117
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2<6.1.7601.28117
6.1.7601.28117
Microsoft Windows Server 2008<6.0.6003.23717
6.0.6003.23717
Microsoft Windows Server 2008<6.0.6003.23717
6.0.6003.23717
Microsoft Windows Server 2008<6.0.6003.23717
6.0.6003.23717
Microsoft Windows Server 2016<10.0.14393.8783
10.0.14393.8783
Microsoft Windows 10=1607
10.0.14393.8783
Microsoft Windows Server 2025<10.0.26100.32230
10.0.26100.32230
Microsoft Windows 10=1607
10.0.14393.8783
Microsoft Windows 11=24H2
10.0.26100.7623
Microsoft Windows 11=23H2
10.0.22631.6491
Microsoft Windows Server 2022, 23H2 Edition<10.0.25398.2092
10.0.25398.2092
Microsoft Windows 11=24H2
10.0.26100.7623
Microsoft Windows 11=23H2
10.0.22631.6491
Microsoft Windows Server 2016<10.0.14393.8783
10.0.14393.8783
Microsoft Windows 11=25H2
10.0.26200.7623
Microsoft Windows Server 2022<10.0.20348.4648
10.0.20348.4648
Microsoft Windows Server 2019<10.0.17763.8276
10.0.17763.8276
Microsoft Windows 10=22H2
10.0.19045.6809
Microsoft Windows 10=21H2
10.0.19044.6809
Microsoft Windows 10=21H2
10.0.19044.6809
Microsoft Windows Server 2025<10.0.26100.32230
10.0.26100.32230
Microsoft Windows 10=22H2
10.0.19045.6809
Microsoft Windows 10=21H2
10.0.19044.6809
Microsoft Windows Server 2019<10.0.17763.8276
10.0.17763.8276
Microsoft Windows 11=25H2
10.0.26200.7623
Microsoft Windows Server 2022<10.0.20348.4648
10.0.20348.4648
Microsoft Windows 10=22H2
10.0.19045.6809
Microsoft Windows 10=1809
10.0.17763.8276
Microsoft Windows 10=1809
10.0.17763.8276

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.3.9600.22968Patch KB5073696
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.0.6003.23717Patch KB5073700
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.2.9200.25868Patch KB5073698
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.1.7601.28117Patch KB5073699
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 10.0.14393.8783Patch KB5073722
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 10.0.26100.32230Patch KB5073379
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 10.0.26100.7623Patch KB5074109
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 10.0.22631.6491Patch KB5073455
  9. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 10.0.25398.2092Patch KB5073450
  10. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 10.0.26200.7623Patch KB5074109
  11. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 10.0.20348.4648Patch KB5073457
  12. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 10.0.17763.8276Patch KB5073723
  13. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 10.0.19045.6809Patch KB5073724
  14. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 10.0.19044.6809Patch KB5073724

Event History

Jan 13, 2026
CVE Published
via Microsoft·04:00 PM
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·04:00 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·04:00 PM
Affected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·04:00 PM
Description
CVE Published
via MITRE·05:56 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·05:56 PM
DescriptionSeverity
Data Sourced
via NVD·06:16 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Free Weekly Intel

Don't miss critical vulnerabilities

Join thousands of security professionals who receive our weekly digest of trending CVEs, zero-days, and exploited vulnerabilities.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-20834?

CVE-2026-20834 has a high severity rating due to its potential for unauthorized access via spoofing.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-20834?

To mitigate CVE-2026-20834, install the latest security updates or patches provided by Microsoft for the affected Windows versions.

3

Which Windows versions are affected by CVE-2026-20834?

CVE-2026-20834 affects multiple Windows Server and Windows 10/11 versions, including Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016, and various editions of Windows 11.

4

What does the CVE-2026-20834 vulnerability exploit?

CVE-2026-20834 exploits an absolute path traversal vulnerability in Windows Shell allowing unauthorized spoofing attacks.

5

Is user interaction required to exploit CVE-2026-20834?

No, CVE-2026-20834 can be exploited by an attacker without user interaction if they have physical access to the system.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203