Missing Authentication for Critical Function in Microsoft Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2026-97793
Published: October 14, 2026
Vulnerability identifier: #VU155609
CSH Severity: Low
CVSS v4: 7.3 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]
CVE-ID: CVE-2026-97793
CWE-ID: CWE-306
Exploitation vector: Local access
Exploit availability:
No public exploit available
Vulnerability details
The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges to SYSTEM.
The vulnerability exists due to missing authentication for a critical function in Windows Setup and Deployment when invoking critical functionality locally. A local user can exploit the missing authentication check to escalate privileges to SYSTEM.
Successful exploitation requires specific conditions, such as particular protocol settings or configurations, which the advisory does not identify.
Affected software
Microsoft Windows
Windows Server
Windows Server
How to mitigate CVE-2026-97793
Install security update from vendor's website.
Microsoft Windows - addressed in versions 10 21H2 10.0.19044.7807, 10 1809 10.0.17763.9376, 11 23H2 10.0.22631.7652, 11 24H2 10.0.26100.9711, 11 25H2 10.0.26200.9711, 11 26H1 10.0.28000.3231
Windows Server - addressed in versions 2019 10.0.17763.9376, 2022 10.0.20348.5761, 2025 10.0.26100.33650
Windows Server - addressed in versions 2019 10.0.17763.9376, 2022 10.0.20348.5761, 2025 10.0.26100.33650