CVE-2025-53788 Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2) Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
An authorized local attacker can exploit a race condition in WSL2 to elevate privileges on Windows systems.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2025-53788?
CVE-2025-53788 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2), published on 12 Aug 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Time-of-check time-of-use (toctou) race condition in Windows Subsystem for Linux allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Weakness: CWE-367
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-53788?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux.
How do I fix CVE-2025-53788?
No fix has been published for CVE-2025-53788 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2025-53788 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-53788 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2)
- CVE-2021-43907 Visual Studio Code WSL Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
- CVE-2025-62220 Windows Subsystem for Linux GUI Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
- CVE-2026-57968 Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2) Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
- CVE-2026-85879 Windows Subsystem for Linux Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
- CVE-2026-96206 Windows Subsystem for Linux Information Disclosure Vulnerability
Sources
Also known as GHSA-jhqq-6r83-8cpg.