# CVE-2026-105520: Microsoft Windows DNS privilege escalation via symlink following

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-105520-improper-link-resolution-before-file-access-link-following-in  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-11-10. Updated: 2026-11-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-105520 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.2 · Published 2026-11-10

Windows DNS, a critical network service that resolves domain names to IP addresses, contains a flaw that allows an authenticated attacker to escalate their privileges on affected systems. An attacker with basic network access could exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated system permissions, potentially compromising the security of an entire network infrastructure.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows DNS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-dns). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-105520 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-105520 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-105520?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.2, published 10 November 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows DNS.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-105520?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-105520 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-105520?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows DNS. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The vulnerability is a symlink-following (TOCTOU-style) flaw in Windows DNS that fails to properly validate file access paths before following symbolic links. An authorized attacker with network access can exploit this to access files outside the intended DNS directory structure, leading to privilege escalation. A fix has been released by Microsoft.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows DNS

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-105520](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-105520)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows DNS out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96988-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Windows DNS out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96987-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Windows DNS out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96986-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Windows DNS out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96985-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Windows DNS out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96980-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized-attacker)