Link following in Microsoft Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2026-62832
Published: August 12, 2026
Vulnerability identifier: #VU141922
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-2026-62832
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.
The vulnerability exists due to improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows User Profile Service when loading another user's registry hive. A local user can run a specially crafted application to escalate privileges.
User interaction is not required, and successful exploitation could allow access to or modification of another user's data.
Affected software
Microsoft Windows
Windows Server
Windows Server
How to mitigate CVE-2026-62832
Install security update from vendor's website.
Microsoft Windows - addressed in versions 10 21H2 10.0.19044.7663, 10 22H2 10.0.19045.7663, 11 23H2 10.0.22631.7517, 11 24H2 10.0.26100.9106, 11 24H2 10.0.26100.9168, 11 25H2 10.0.26200.9168, 11 26H1 10.0.28000.2704
Windows Server - addressed in versions 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 2022 10.0.20348.5440, 2022 10.0.20348.5499, 2025 10.0.26100.33222, 2025 10.0.26100.33296