CVE-2026-69445: Improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal') in Windows Compressed Folder al

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-69445?

windows 10 1607: upgrade to 10.0.14393.9512; windows 10 1809: upgrade to 10.0.17763.9245; windows 10 21h2: upgrade to 10.0.19044.7725. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-69445 being exploited?

CVE-2026-69445 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2026-69445 affect?

CVE-2026-69445 affects windows 10 1607, windows 10 1809, windows 10 21h2. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal') in Windows Compressed Folder allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-69445?

Priority 40/100. High severity; On your watchlist

This month

HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-69445 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting windows 10 1607, windows 10 1809, windows 10 21h2. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal') in Windows Compressed Folder allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 69%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-22
Published	2026-09-08
Last modified	2026-09-25

Publisher (CNA): Microsoft Corporation · Vendor: microsoft

Last updated 2026-09-25 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-09-08 18:19 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-09-25 14:03 UTCUpdated Record last modified

microsoft windows 10 1607 UPGRADE

Affected: < 10.0.14393.9512

Fixed in: 10.0.14393.9512

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

microsoft windows 10 1809 UPGRADE

Affected: < 10.0.17763.9245

Fixed in: 10.0.17763.9245

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

microsoft windows 10 21h2 UPGRADE

Affected: < 10.0.19044.7725

Fixed in: 10.0.19044.7725

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

microsoft windows 10 22h2 UPGRADE

Affected: < 10.0.19045.7725

Fixed in: 10.0.19045.7725

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

microsoft windows 11 23h2 UPGRADE

Affected: < 10.0.22631.7582

Fixed in: 10.0.22631.7582

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

microsoft windows 11 24h2 UPGRADE

Affected: < 10.0.26100.9445

Fixed in: 10.0.26100.9445

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-69445?

windows 10 1607: upgrade to 10.0.14393.9512; windows 10 1809: upgrade to 10.0.17763.9245; windows 10 21h2: upgrade to 10.0.19044.7725. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-69445 being exploited?

CVE-2026-69445 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-69445 affect?

CVE-2026-69445 affects windows 10 1607, windows 10 1809, windows 10 21h2. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal') in Windows Compressed Folder allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

How urgent is CVE-2026-69445?

Priority 40/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-105007 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) when ndis.
CVE-2026-105008 CRITICAL 9.0 UPGRADE UPGRADE No cwe for this issue in Windows Schannel allows an unauthorized attacker to perform spoofing over a network.
CVE-2026-103555 HIGH 7.0 UPGRADE UPGRADE Heap-based buffer overflow in Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) Miniport Driver allows an authorized attacker to elevate
CVE-2026-103575 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Use after free in Remote Desktop Client allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
CVE-2026-103576 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE Url redirection to untrusted site ('open redirect') in Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) allows an

References

← Back to latest CVEs