# CVE-2026-42906: Microsoft Windows Shell information disclosure

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42906-microsoft-windows-shell-information-disclosure  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-09. Updated: 2026-06-09  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-42906 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.5 · Published 2026-06-09

A security vulnerability in the Windows Shell component could allow a person with existing access to a computer to view sensitive information they are not authorized to see. The Windows Shell is the graphical interface used to interact with the operating system, including the desktop and file explorer. While an attacker must already have a way to run code on the system, this flaw could lead to the exposure of private data or system secrets.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-42906 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-42906 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-42906?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.5, published 9 June 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-42906?** 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-2026-42906 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-42906?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Shell. 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

An information disclosure vulnerability exists in the Microsoft Windows Shell component due to improper handling of sensitive data, classified as CWE-200. An attacker with local access and low privileges can exploit this flaw to disclose information to an unauthorized actor. The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to have prior authenticated access to the target system, but no user interaction is required. Successful exploitation results in high confidentiality impact but does not directly affect system integrity or availability. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Shell

## Timeline

- 2026-06-09: disclosed
- 2026-06-09: advisory

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-42906](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-42906)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows Shell buffer over-read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-105506-buffer-over-read-in-windows-shell-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Windows Shell authentication algorithm spoofing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83906-incorrect-implementation-of-authentication-algorithm-in-windows)
- [Windows Shell sensitive information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83905-exposure-of-sensitive-system-information-to-an-unauthorized)
- [Microsoft Windows Shell missing authentication privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-69528-microsoft-windows-shell-missing-authentication-privilege)
- [Microsoft Windows Shell use-after-free privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-69392-use-after-free-in-windows-shell-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)