CVE-2026-81963
high CISA KEVMicrosoft Windows Link Following Vulnerability
Vendor / product: Microsoft — Windows
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Update Stack allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Required action (CISA)
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.
Affected products
Weakness classification (CWE)
Source: NVD / CISA. “NVD-CWE-Other” and “NVD-CWE-noinfo” mean NVD could not assign a specific weakness.
Mitigation & advisories
References
- https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-81963 secure@microsoft.com
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-81963 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0