CVE-2026-81963
Microsoft Windows Link Following Vulnerability
IN CISA KEV
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Update Stack allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Windows
- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 (high), scored by secure@microsoft.comCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Published
- 2026-09-08
- NVD modified
- 2026-09-09
- NVD status
- Analyzed
CISA KEV
- Date added
- 2026-09-08
- Due date
- 2026-09-22
- Ransomware use
- Unknown
- Required action
- 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.
EPSS
0.39% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (percentile 31st)
FIRST EPSS, updated 17 Oct 2026. About EPSS
CVSS is severity, EPSS is likelihood, KEV means already exploited. EPSS is a statistical probability, not a certainty: a low score does not make a bug safe, and a high one does not prove it is being exploited.
References
- msrc.microsoft.com (Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- www.cisa.gov (US Government Resource)
Data last updated 18 Oct 2026. Sources: NVD API 2.0, CISA KEV catalog, FIRST EPSS. Links: NVD, CISA KEV. Metadata only. ThreatWire does not host exploit code.