CVE-2026-44470: Claude Desktop: Local Privilege Escalation via Directory Junction in CoworkVMService
The Claude Desktop app gives you Claude Code with a graphical interface built for running multiple sessions side by side. Prior to 1.3834.0, the CoworkVMService component in Claude Desktop for Windows ran as SYSTEM and did not validate whether the VM bundle directory was a real directory or an NTFS directory junction before creating files within it. A local non-elevated user could replace the user-writable VM bundle directory with a directory junction pointing to an attacker-chosen location, causing the service to create a SYSTEM-owned file in an arbitrary directory. This could be leveraged for local privilege escalation. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.3834.0.
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-44470?
CVE-2026-44470 has a high severity rating due to its potential for local privilege escalation.
How do I fix CVE-2026-44470?
To fix CVE-2026-44470, update the Claude Desktop app to version 1.3834.0 or later.
What systems are affected by CVE-2026-44470?
CVE-2026-44470 affects Claude Desktop versions prior to 1.3834.0 running on Windows.
Can CVE-2026-44470 be exploited remotely?
CVE-2026-44470 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability, meaning it requires local access to the system for exploitation.
What component of Claude Desktop is impacted by CVE-2026-44470?
The CoworkVMService component in Claude Desktop is impacted by CVE-2026-44470, allowing privilege escalation.