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Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2) < 2.5.10 Kernel Elevation of Privilege (August 2025)

high Nessus Plugin ID 250272

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Synopsis

Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2) is affected by a kernel elevation of privilege vulnerability.

Description

The version of Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2) on the remote Windows host is prior to 2.5.10. It is, therefore, affected by a kernel elevation of privilege vulnerability:

 - Time-of-check time-of-use (toctou) race condition in Windows Subsystem for Linux allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. (CVE-2025-53788)

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

Solution

Upgrade to Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2) version 2.5.10 or later via the Microsoft Store.

See Also

http://www.nessus.org/u?ec1a8c99

Plugin Details

Severity: High

ID: 250272

File Name: microsoft_windows_subsystem_for_linux_2_5_10.nasl

Version: 1.1

Type: local

Agent: windows

Family: Windows

Published: 8/15/2025

Updated: 8/15/2025

Supported Sensors: Nessus Agent, Nessus

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: High

Score: 7.4

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: Medium

Base Score: 6

Vector: CVSS2#AV:L/AC:H/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS Score Source: CVE-2025-53788

CVSS v3

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 7

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Vulnerability Information

CPE: cpe:/a:microsoft:windows_subsystem_for_linux

Required KB Items: SMB/Registry/Enumerated, WMI/Windows App Store/Enumerated

Patch Publication Date: 8/12/2025

Vulnerability Publication Date: 8/12/2025

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2025-53788

IAVA: 2025-A-0605