Microsoft Windows Link Following Vulnerability
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Update Stack allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
What happened
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Update Stack allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
CISA lists it as exploited, added 08 Sep 2026.
Does it affect you
Names Microsoft Windows Server. Enter the product and version you run to place it against the affected range the vendor published.
What to do
- Apply the vendor patch named in this advisory.
msrc.microsoft.com - 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.
cisa.gov
CISA’s notes for this entry:
- msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2026-81963
- BOD 26-04: cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk
- Forensics Triage Requirements: cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-implementation-guidance-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-81963
Affected, as published to NVD
- ms-winserver
- Microsoft Windows Server: everything below 10.0.26100.33438
The record
- NVD status
- Analyzed
- Published
- 08 Sep 2026, last modified 09 Sep 2026 (NVD)
- Severity
- CVSS 3.1 base score 7.8, High — computed here from the vector; NVD states 7.8.
- Vector
- CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Weakness
- CWE-59 Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following'), CWE-284 Improper Access Control (NVD; names by MITRE)
- Exploitation
- Listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue since 08 Sep 2026; federal remediation due 22 Sep 2026. CISA entry
- Vendor
- Microsoft · Windows (CISA)
References on the NVD record
- msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-81963PatchVendor Advisory
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-81963US Government Resource
Reporting that names this identifier
- CISA Adds Four Known Exploited Vulnerabilities to Catalog — CISA, 24 hr ago
Sources
The verdict above is computed from the products and versions you entered and the affected ranges the vendor published to NVD. It does not inspect your environment, and this site never reports a product as unaffected: why.