CVE-2026-81963 KEV
7.8
HIGH · CVSS 3.1 · EPSS 0.4% (pctl 31)
Patch first
On CISA KEV — known exploited in the wild, due 2026-09-22.
Description
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Update Stack allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Scoring
| CVSS | 7.8 (HIGH, v3.1) |
|---|---|
| Vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| EPSS | 0.39% — more likely to be exploited than 31% of all CVEs |
| Weakness | CWE-59 |
| On CISA KEV | yes — remediate by 2026-09-22 |
| Public exploit | none known |
| Published | 2026-09-08 |
| Last modified | 2026-09-09 |
CISA KEV
| Name | Microsoft Windows Link Following Vulnerability |
|---|---|
| Added | 2026-09-08 |
| Due | 2026-09-22 |
| Vendor / product | Microsoft / Windows |
| Ransomware use | none reported |
Affected (5)
| Vendor | Product |
|---|---|
| microsoft | windows 11 23h2 |
| microsoft | windows 11 24h2 |
| microsoft | windows 11 25h2 |
| microsoft | windows 11 26h1 |
| microsoft | windows server 2025 |
References
→ the Explorer · watch your stack · NVD