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Luu, T.J.

🔥 This vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild (CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog)

CVE-2026-81963: Microsoft Windows Link Following Vulnerability

infovulnerability🔥 Actively Exploited

security

Source: CISA Known Exploited VulnerabilitiesSeptember 7, 2026CVE-2026-81963

Summary

A link following vulnerability (a bug where a program incorrectly follows symbolic links, which are shortcuts to files, allowing attackers to access unintended locations) exists in Microsoft Windows Update Stack that lets a local attacker (someone with access to the computer) gain SYSTEM privileges (the highest level of control on Windows). This vulnerability is currently being exploited by attackers in real-world attacks.

Solution / Mitigation

Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions from Microsoft, following CISA's BOD 26-04 guidance on patching priorities. If mitigations are unavailable, discontinue use of the product for cloud services. Organizations must evaluate their systems' internet exposure and adhere to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines by the due date of 2026-09-22.

Vulnerability Details

EPSS (30-day exploit probability)

EPSS: 0.0%

Patch Available

Yes

Exploit Maturity

🔥 Actively Exploited

Disclosure Date

September 7, 2026

Classification

Attack SophisticationModerate

Taxonomy References

CWE (Weakness Type)

CWE-59 CWE-284

Monthly digest — independent AI security research

Original source: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-81963

First tracked: September 8, 2026 at 08:01 PM

Classified by LLM (prompt v3) · confidence: 95%