Detections
Analytics

Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2) < 2.7.8 EoP (CVE-2026-57968) (July 2026)

high Nessus Plugin ID 326852

Synopsis

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

Description

The version of Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2) on the remote Windows host is prior to 2.7.8. It is, therefore, affected by an elevation of privilege vulnerability:

 - Buffer over-read in Windows Subsystem for Linux allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
 (CVE-2026-57968)

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 2.7.8 or later via the Microsoft Store.

See Also

http://www.nessus.org/u?93634d4e

Plugin Details

Severity: High

ID: 326852

File Name: microsoft_windows_subsystem_for_linux_CVE-2026-57968.nasl

Version: 1.2

Type: Local

Agent: windows

Family: Windows

Published: 7/14/2026

Updated: 7/15/2026

Supported Sensors: Nessus Agent, Nessus

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: Medium

Score: 4.9

Percentile: 58.11

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: Medium

Base Score: 6.8

Temporal Score: 5

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

CVSS Score Source: CVE-2026-57968

CVSS v3

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 7.8

Temporal Score: 6.8

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

Temporal Vector: CVSS:3.0/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

Vulnerability Information

CPE: cpe:/a:microsoft:windows_subsystem_for_linux

Required KB Items: installed_sw/MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForLinux

Exploit Ease: No known exploits are available

Patch Publication Date: 7/14/2026

Vulnerability Publication Date: 7/14/2026

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2026-57968