Vulnerability
CVE-2026-81963 — Microsoft Windows Link Following Vulnerability
high 7.8 Exploited in the wild 4 stories · 4 outlets
Impacted if
- Windows 11 23h2 < 10.0.22631.7582
- and 4 other products
Link following · local access · any logged-in user
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Update Stack allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
Added on 2026-09-08, federal remediation due 2026-09-22. Microsoft Windows Update Stack contains a link following vulnerability that allows a local attacker to escalate privileges locally up to SYSTEM.
Required action: Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
First seen by AX-NEWS · latest story . Severity: NVD, or the CVE record while the NVD has not scored it. This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.