---
title: "CVE-2026-81963: Windows Update Stack Elevation… | CubePath"
description: "Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Update Stack allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally."
language: en
source: https://cubepath.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-81963
---

# CVE-2026-81963: Windows Update Stack Elevation… | CubePath

## Description

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

Official description from the CVE record, published by microsoft. Copyright © 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. See [/security/cve/legal](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal) for the CVE license. [View the record on cve.org](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-81963)

## Key data

### CVSS 3.1 High 7.8

Score published by microsoft in the CVE record.

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:F/RL:O/RC:C

| Metric                 | Value     | What it means                                                                             |
| ---------------------- | --------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Attack vector          | Local     | The attacker needs local access to the system, or to trick a user into running something. |
| Attack complexity      | Low       | No special conditions are needed. The attack can be repeated at will.                     |
| Privileges required    | Low       | A basic user account is needed.                                                           |
| User interaction       | None      | No action from any user is needed.                                                        |
| Scope                  | Unchanged | The impact stays within the vulnerable component.                                         |
| Confidentiality impact | High      | Serious or total effect on the secrecy of data.                                           |
| Integrity impact       | High      | Serious or total effect on the trustworthiness of data.                                   |
| Availability impact    | High      | Serious or total effect on availability.                                                  |

CVSS is owned and managed by FIRST.Org, Inc. (FIRST) and is used by permission. Each CVSS score on this site is shown together with its vector string, as published in the CVE record by the source named next to it. Learn more at [first.org/cvss](https://www.first.org/cvss/) .

### EPSS

Exploit Prediction Scoring System by FIRST: an estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days.

Score

0.00393 (0.4% probability)

Percentile

33.9%

Scores of

Nov 10, 2026

Model

v2026.06.15

### CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities

This CVE is listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

Name in the catalog

Microsoft Windows Link Following Vulnerability

Added to the catalog

Sep 8, 2026

Federal due date

Sep 22, 2026

### CISA assessment as of Sep 7, 2026

Stakeholder-Specific Vulnerability Categorization (SSVC) decision points added by CISA.

Exploitation

Recorded by CISA as active

Automatable

no

Technical impact

total

### Weakness (CWE)

CWE catalog version 5.0.

CWE names: Copyright © 2006-2026, The MITRE Corporation. See [/security/cve/legal](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal) for the CWE license.

- [CWE-59](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/59.html) Improper Link Resolution Before File Access
- [CWE-284](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/284.html) Improper Access Control

## Affected products

Products listed in the CVE record, as the CNA published them.

- Microsoft Windows 11 version 23H2

  - affected: 10.0.22631.0 up to before 10.0.22631.7582
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 23H2

  - affected: 10.0.22631.0 up to before 10.0.22631.7582
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24H2

  - affected: 10.0.26100.0 up to before 10.0.26100.9445
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 25H2

  - affected: 10.0.26200.0 up to before 10.0.26200.9445
- Microsoft Windows 11 version 26H1

  - affected: 10.0.28000.0 up to before 10.0.28000.2954
- Microsoft Windows Server 2025

  - affected: 10.0.26100.0 up to before 10.0.26100.33438
- Microsoft Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation)

  - affected: 10.0.26100.0 up to before 10.0.26100.33438

## References

Links listed in the CVE record. They lead to other sites, which CubePath does not control.

- [Windows Update Stack Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-81963)  (msrc.microsoft.com) vendor-advisory patch

## Timeline

1. ID reserved Aug 27, 2026
2. Added to CISA KEV Sep 8, 2026
3. Record published Sep 8, 2026
4. Record last updated Oct 31, 2026

## Look up another CVE

## About CubePath

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Data from the CVE Program (MITRE), CISA KEV and FIRST EPSS. CVSS is owned by FIRST and used by permission. Not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE, CISA or FIRST. Data as of Nov 10, 2026, 19:07 UTC. [Sources and licenses](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal)