CVE-2026-81963 Windows Update Stack - Privilege Escalation

Windows Update Stack contains a privilege escalation caused by improper link resolution before file access ('link following'), letting authorized local attackers elevate privileges, exploit requires local access with authorization.

CVSS base score 7.8 /10
High
CISA KEV
Exploited in the wild
Public exploit
None known
Authentication
Required
EPSS
0.39% chance of exploitation in 30 days
View the NVD record ↗

Details

Type
Privilege Escalation
Impact
Privilege Escalation
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Published
8 September 2026
Updated
15 October 2026
Weakness
CWE-59

Vendor fix

Update to the latest Windows Update Stack version.

Patching closes this CVE. It does not tell you which of your systems run the affected version, or what else is exposed alongside them.

References

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