Track vulnerabilities like this one.
Sign up free to get alerted when software you use is affected.
7.8
CVE-2026-81969: Windows Server Update Service can let attackers gain admin rights
CVE-2026-81969 · published 22 days ago
Summary
Windows 10 (versions 1607 and 1809) and Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 allow a user with limited access to raise their privileges using the Server Update Service. This could let a malicious insider or compromised account take control of the system. Install the latest security updates from Microsoft to correct the access controls.
What to do
- Update microsoft windows 10 version 1607 to version 10.0.14393.9612 or later.
- Update microsoft windows 10 version 1809 to version 10.0.17763.9376 or later.
- Update microsoft windows server 2012 to version 6.2.9200.26434 or later.
- Update microsoft windows server 2012 (server core installation) to version 6.2.9200.26434 or later.
- Update microsoft windows server 2012 r2 to version 6.3.9600.23470 or later.
- Update microsoft windows server 2012 r2 (server core installation) to version 6.3.9600.23470 or later.
- Update microsoft windows server 2016 to version 10.0.14393.9612 or later.
- Update microsoft windows server 2016 (server core installation) to version 10.0.14393.9612 or later.
- Update microsoft windows server 2019 to version 10.0.17763.9376 or later.
- Update microsoft windows server 2019 (server core installation) to version 10.0.17763.9376 or later.
- Update microsoft windows server 2022 to version 10.0.20348.5761 or later.
- Update microsoft windows server 2025 to version 10.0.26100.33650 or later.
- Update microsoft windows server 2025 (server core installation) to version 10.0.26100.33650 or later.
- Update microsoft windows_10_1607 to version 10.0.14393.9612 or later.
- Update microsoft windows_10_1809 to version 10.0.17763.9376 or later.
- Update microsoft windows_server_2016 to version 10.0.14393.9612 or later.
- Update microsoft windows_server_2019 to version 10.0.17763.9376 or later.
- Update microsoft windows_server_2022 to version 10.0.20348.5761 or later.
- Update microsoft windows_server_2025 to version 10.0.26100.33650 or later.
Affected software
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions |
|---|---|---|
| microsoft | windows 10 version 1607 | < 10.0.14393.9612 |
| microsoft | windows 10 version 1809 | < 10.0.17763.9376 |
| microsoft | windows server 2012 | < 6.2.9200.26434 |
| microsoft | windows server 2012 (server core installation) | < 6.2.9200.26434 |
| microsoft | windows server 2012 r2 | < 6.3.9600.23470 |
| microsoft | windows server 2012 r2 (server core installation) | < 6.3.9600.23470 |
| microsoft | windows server 2016 | < 10.0.14393.9612 |
| microsoft | windows server 2016 (server core installation) | < 10.0.14393.9612 |
| microsoft | windows server 2019 | < 10.0.17763.9376 |
| microsoft | windows server 2019 (server core installation) | < 10.0.17763.9376 |
| microsoft | windows server 2022 | < 10.0.20348.5761 |
| microsoft | windows server 2025 | < 10.0.26100.33650 |
| microsoft | windows server 2025 (server core installation) | < 10.0.26100.33650 |
| microsoft | windows_10_1607 |
< 10.0.14393.9612 cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* |
| microsoft | windows_10_1809 |
< 10.0.17763.9376 cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* |
| microsoft | windows_server_2012 |
r2 cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* |
| microsoft | windows_server_2016 |
< 10.0.14393.9612 cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* |
| microsoft | windows_server_2019 |
< 10.0.17763.9376 cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* |
| microsoft | windows_server_2022 |
< 10.0.20348.5761 cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* |
| microsoft | windows_server_2025 |
< 10.0.26100.33650 cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* |
Original advisory text
Windows Server Update Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Insufficient granularity of access control in Windows Server Update Service allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
References
- https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-81969 vendor-advisory patch
Internet-facing
14 days
Internal
At next upgrade
- Not known to be exploited
- Needs hands-on effort to exploit
- Gives an attacker full control
Type
CWE-1220Insufficient Granularity of Access Control
Timeline
Published13 Oct 2026
Updated4 Nov 2026
First seen13 Oct 2026
Track software like this
Free during beta