CVE-2026-21533
HIGHCISA KEVEPSS 89th pctlDescription
Improper privilege management in Windows Remote Desktop allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
CVSS v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:F/RL:O/RC:C
Exploit Intelligence
Elevated risk: more likely to be exploited than 89% of all known CVEs.
Microsoft Windows Improper Privilege Management Vulnerability
Microsoft Windows Remote Desktop Services contains an improper privilege management vulnerability that could allow an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Remediation due: 2026-03-03
References
- https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-21533
- https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2026-21533-detection-script-privilege-escalation-vulnerability-in-windows-remote-desktop
- https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2026-21533-mitigation-script-privilege-escalation-vulnerability-in-windows-remote-desktop
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-21533
Find and fix vulnerabilities across your fleet
TridentStack Control continuously scans your Windows, macOS, and Linux fleet for known vulnerabilities, prioritizes them by severity and active exploitation, and patches them automatically.
Start freeThis product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2026-03-30.