CVE-2026-81963: Microsoft Windows Link Following Vulnerability

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HIGH 7.8EXPLOITEDWATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-81963 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting windows 11 23h2, windows 11 24h2, windows 11 25h2, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Update Stack allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Why this priority

High severity
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
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 68%)
CISA exploited list	Yes, fix due 2026-09-22
Weakness	CWE-59, CWE-284
Published	2026-09-08
Last modified	2026-09-09

Publisher (CNA): Microsoft Corporation · Vendor: microsoft

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-09-08Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
2026-09-08 18:21 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-09-09 05:18 UTCUpdated Record last modified
2026-09-22Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch

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.

microsoft windows 11 25h2 UPGRADE

Affected: < 10.0.26200.9445

Fixed in: 10.0.26200.9445

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.

microsoft windows 11 26h1 UPGRADE

Affected: < 10.0.28000.2954

Fixed in: 10.0.28000.2954

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 server 2025 UPGRADE

Affected: < 10.0.26100.33438

Fixed in: 10.0.26100.33438

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

Fedora 46 · retext · FIXED · 8.1.0-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-0602a84203 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-0602a84203

Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) · KB5122871 · FIXED · 10.0.26100.33438 · KB5122871 · source

Install KB5122871 via Windows Update, then verify: Get-HotFix -Id KB5122871

Windows Server 2025 · KB5122871 · FIXED · 10.0.26100.33438 · KB5122871 · source

Install KB5122871 via Windows Update, then verify: Get-HotFix -Id KB5122871

Windows 11 Version 25H2 for ARM64-based Systems · KB5124008 · FIXED · 10.0.26200.9445 · KB5124008 · source

Install KB5124008 via Windows Update, then verify: Get-HotFix -Id KB5124008

Windows 11 Version 25H2 for x64-based Systems · KB5124008 · FIXED · 10.0.26200.9445 · KB5124008 · source

Install KB5124008 via Windows Update, then verify: Get-HotFix -Id KB5124008

Windows 11 Version 23H2 for ARM64-based Systems · KB5122880 · FIXED · 10.0.22631.7582 · KB5122880 · source

Install KB5122880 via Windows Update, then verify: Get-HotFix -Id KB5122880

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

GitHub PoC: rsah35404-star/stunning-octo-doodle (0 stars)

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · CISA KEV catalog · 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.

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-69673 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Update allows an authorized attacker
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CVE-2026-69733 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Untrusted search path in Windows Update allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
CVE-2026-108132 HIGH 7.0 UPGRADE UPGRADE Double free in Windows Kerberos allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
CVE-2026-108135 HIGH 7.0 UPGRADE UPGRADE Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Backup Engine allows an authorized a

References

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