Link following in Microsoft Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2026-62761
Published: August 12, 2026
Vulnerability identifier: #VU141584
CSH Severity: Low
CVSS v4: 8.5 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]
CVE-ID: CVE-2026-62761
CWE-ID: CWE-59
Exploitation vector: Local access
Exploit availability:
No public exploit available
Vulnerability details
The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.
The vulnerability exists due to an insecure link following issue in Windows DHCP Server. A local user can create a specially crafted symbolic link to a critical file on the system and overwrite it with privileges of the application.
Affected software
Microsoft Windows
Windows Server
Windows Server
How to mitigate CVE-2026-62761
Install updates from vendor's website.
Microsoft Windows - addressed in versions 10 1607 10.0.14393.9418, 10 1809 10.0.17763.9115
Windows Server - addressed in versions 2012 R2 6.3.9600.23337, 2012 6.2.9200.26279, 2016 10.0.14393.9418, 2019 10.0.17763.9115, 2022 10.0.20348.5440, 2022 10.0.20348.5499, 2025 10.0.26100.33222, 2025 10.0.26100.33296
Windows Server - addressed in versions 2012 R2 6.3.9600.23337, 2012 6.2.9200.26279, 2016 10.0.14393.9418, 2019 10.0.17763.9115, 2022 10.0.20348.5440, 2022 10.0.20348.5499, 2025 10.0.26100.33222, 2025 10.0.26100.33296