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CVE-2026-81963: Windows link handling may grant attackers system rights

CVE-2026-81963 · published 1 month ago · actively exploited

Summary

The Windows update component that processes links is flawed in Windows 11 versions 23H2, 24H2, 25H2, 26H1 and Windows Server 2025. A local user could exploit it to increase their privileges to the highest level (SYSTEM). Install the latest Microsoft updates or patches to resolve the issue.

What to do

Update microsoft windows 11 version 23h2 to version 10.0.22631.7582 or later.
Update microsoft windows 11 version 24h2 to version 10.0.26100.9445 or later.
Update microsoft windows 11 version 25h2 to version 10.0.26200.9445 or later.
Update microsoft windows 11 version 26h1 to version 10.0.28000.2954 or later.
Update microsoft windows server 2025 to version 10.0.26100.33438 or later.
Update microsoft windows server 2025 (server core installation) to version 10.0.26100.33438 or later.
Update microsoft windows_11_23h2 to version 10.0.22631.7582 or later.
Update microsoft windows_11_24h2 to version 10.0.26100.9445 or later.
Update microsoft windows_11_25h2 to version 10.0.26200.9445 or later.
Update microsoft windows_11_26h1 to version 10.0.28000.2954 or later.
Update microsoft windows_server_2025 to version 10.0.26100.33438 or later.

Affected software

Vendor	Product	Affected versions
microsoft	windows 11 version 23h2	< 10.0.22631.7582
microsoft	windows 11 version 24h2	< 10.0.26100.9445
microsoft	windows 11 version 25h2	< 10.0.26200.9445
microsoft	windows 11 version 26h1	< 10.0.28000.2954
microsoft	windows server 2025	< 10.0.26100.33438
microsoft	windows server 2025 (server core installation)	< 10.0.26100.33438
microsoft	windows	All versions
microsoft	windows_11_23h2	< 10.0.22631.7582 `cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_23h2:::::::arm64:*`
microsoft	windows_11_24h2	< 10.0.26100.9445 `cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24h2:::::::arm64:*`
microsoft	windows_11_25h2	< 10.0.26200.9445 `cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25h2:::::::arm64:*`
microsoft	windows_11_26h1	< 10.0.28000.2954 `cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_26h1:::::::arm64:*`
microsoft	windows_server_2025	< 10.0.26100.33438 `cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025::::::::`

Original advisory text

Microsoft Windows Link Following Vulnerability

Microsoft Windows Update Stack contains a link following vulnerability that allows a local attacker to escalate privileges locally up to SYSTEM.

References

https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-... US Government Resource
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-81963 vendor-advisory patch

Fix within

Internet-facing 3 days

and check for signs of compromise

Internal 14 days

Known to be exploited
Needs hands-on effort to exploit
Gives an attacker full control

Severity

7.8 High

Exploitation

Known exploited

Listed in the CISA KEV catalogue - exploitation confirmed in the wild.

<1% chance of attack within 30 days

Type

CWE-59Link Following

CWE-284Improper Access Control

Timeline

Published8 Sep 2026

Updated4 Nov 2026

First seen8 Sep 2026

Sources

CVE-2026-81963 · NVD

CVE-2026-81963 · MITRE

CVE-2026-81963 · CISA KEV

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