Windows · Microsoft · released August 11, 2026
Windows security updates, August 2026: every vulnerability, rated
Microsoft published 230 Windows vulnerabilities in August 2026, most of them on Patch Tuesday, August 11, 2026. 20 are rated Critical. 1 was already being exploited, so it goes to the top of the list. 41 more deserve attention this week; 188 can follow the normal monthly rollout. 21 were fixed by an earlier update and only disclosed this month, so a PC that is already current is covered. The updates that carry these fixes need a restart.
- CVEs
- 230
- Patch now
- 1
- This week
- 41
- Normal cycle
- 177
- Low
- 11
Fixed in: August 2026 Windows security update restart requiredMicrosoft release notes
Page 1 of 4 · sorted by risk, then score
Patch now1 on this page
- Patch nowWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-68820Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft reports it has been exploited in real attacks. CISA lists it as a Known Exploited Vulnerability, meaning attacks have been seen (added 2026-08-11; federal agencies must fix it by 2026-08-25). Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
This week41 on this page
- This weekWindowsAugust 17, 2026
CVE-2026-56188Windows Server Network driver
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 9.8 · Fixed earlier (July 2026)
In Windows Server Network driver, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Microsoft disclosed it on August 17, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the July 2026 Windows security update (KB5099444, KB5099445, KB5099535) for 27 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62815Microsoft QUIC
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 9.8
In Microsoft QUIC, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "n/a". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62878Windows DNS Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 9.8
In Windows DNS Server, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62893Windows Deployment Services TFTP Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 9.8
In Windows Deployment Services TFTP Server, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 20, 2026
CVE-2026-49798Windows Kernel
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 9.3 · Fixed earlier (July 2026)
In Windows Kernel, an attacker with no account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 9.3. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Microsoft disclosed it on August 20, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the July 2026 Windows security update (KB5099444, KB5099445, KB5099535) for 27 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62816Windows Reliable Multicast Transport Driver (RMCAST)
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Reliable Multicast Transport Driver (RMCAST), an attacker with no account could run their own code from the same local network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62817Windows DNS Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.8
In Windows DNS Server, an attacker with no account could run their own code from the same local network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 6 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62818Windows Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS)
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS), an attacker with an ordinary user account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62822Windows GDI+
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.8
In Windows GDI+, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network, but only if someone opens a file, link or message. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 31, 2026
CVE-2026-62823Windows DHCP Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.8 · Out of band
In Windows DHCP Server, an attacker with no account could run their own code from the same local network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62824Remote Desktop Client
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.8
In Remote Desktop Client, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network, but only if someone opens a file, link or message. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120385, KB5120386, KB5120418) for 8 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62819Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS)
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.1
In Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS), an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62820Windows DNS Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.1
In Windows DNS Server, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 8 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62889Windows Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP)
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.1
In Windows Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP), an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-65679Windows iSCSI Target Service
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.1
In Windows iSCSI Target Service, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-65789Windows DNS Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.1
In Windows DNS Server, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 8 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 13, 2026
CVE-2026-65796Windows iSCSI Target Service
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.1 · Out of band
In Windows iSCSI Target Service, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-66802Windows Device Health Attestation (DHA)
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.1
In Windows Device Health Attestation (DHA), an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 10 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 20, 2026
CVE-2026-71331Windows Device Health Attestation (DHA)
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.1 · Out of band
In Windows Device Health Attestation (DHA), an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 8 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 27, 2026
CVE-2026-50351Windows Audio Compression Manager (ACM)
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (July 2026)
In Windows Audio Compression Manager (ACM), an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Microsoft disclosed it on August 27, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the July 2026 Windows security update (KB5099444, KB5099445, KB5099535) for 27 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-61358Windows Accessibility Infrastructure (ATBroker.exe)
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows Accessibility Infrastructure (ATBroker.exe), an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 22 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-61925Windows Installer
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows Installer, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62696Windows Program Compatibility Assistant Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows Program Compatibility Assistant Service, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 26 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62712Windows Win32k
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows Win32k, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62713Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 22 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 17, 2026
CVE-2026-62721Windows User-Mode Power Service (UMPS)
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Out of band
In Windows User-Mode Power Service (UMPS), an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62735Windows HTTP.sys
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows HTTP.sys, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62783Windows Remote Access Connection Manager
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows Remote Access Connection Manager, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 22 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62832Windows User Profile Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows User Profile Service, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Details were public before the fix shipped. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 18 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62888Windows DWM Core Library
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows DWM Core Library, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 18 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62890Windows GDI+
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 7.8
In Windows GDI+, an attacker with an ordinary user account could run their own code once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 17, 2026
CVE-2026-65775Windows Win32k
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Out of band
In Windows Win32k, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-66799Windows Key Guard
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Critical · CVSS 7.8
In Windows Key Guard, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-59132Windows TCP/IP
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows TCP/IP, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". EPSS score 0.01, the modelled probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days. Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-61348Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-61929Windows Kernel
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Kernel, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120233, KB5120240) for 10 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62766Windows Kerberos
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Kerberos, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120233, KB5120994) for 8 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62788Windows Kernel
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Kernel, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120233, KB5120240) for 10 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-65788Desktop Window Manager
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Desktop Window Manager, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120233, KB5120240) for 10 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-70307Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-72971Windows Container Isolation FS Filter Driver (unionfs.sys)
Tampering · Severity Important · CVSS 5.5
In Windows Container Isolation FS Filter Driver (unionfs.sys), an attacker with an ordinary user account could change data or settings they shouldn't control once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 5.5. Details were public before the fix shipped. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5121000) for 2 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
Normal cycle18 on this page · tap one for its risk review
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-49179Windows Active Directory Domain Services
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Active Directory Domain Services, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network, but only if someone opens a file, link or message. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 20, 2026
CVE-2026-50692Desktop Window Manager
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8 · Fixed earlier (July 2026)
In Desktop Window Manager, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "n/a". Microsoft disclosed it on August 20, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the July 2026 Windows security update (KB5099535, KB5099536, KB5099538) for 23 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62784Microsoft Local Security Authority Server (lsasrv)
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Microsoft Local Security Authority Server (lsasrv), an attacker with an ordinary user account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62785Windows LDAP - Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows LDAP - Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network, but only if someone opens a file, link or message. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62790Windows SMBv3 Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows SMBv3 Server, an attacker with an ordinary user account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62795Windows LDAP - Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows LDAP - Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network, but only if someone opens a file, link or message. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62800Windows SMBv3 Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows SMBv3 Server, an attacker with an ordinary user account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-56179Windows Network Address Translation (NAT)
Spoofing · Severity Moderate · CVSS 8.3
In Windows Network Address Translation (NAT), an attacker with no account could impersonate a trusted user, site or file from the same local network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Moderate, CVSS 8.3. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120233, KB5120994) for 8 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62778Windows DNS
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8.1
In Windows DNS, an attacker with no account could take higher privileges over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62781RPC Runtime Library
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.1
In RPC Runtime Library, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62792Windows TCP/IP
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.1
In Windows TCP/IP, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 11, 2026
CVE-2026-6726MITRE: CVE-2026-6726 TPM 2.0 Improper Object Slot Reuse
Spoofing · Severity Important · CVSS 7.9
In MITRE: CVE-2026-6726 TPM 2.0 Improper Object Slot Reuse, an attacker who already has admin rights could impersonate a trusted user, site or file once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.9. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 12, 2026
CVE-2026-42976Remote Access Management service/API (RPC server)
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Out of band
In Remote Access Management service/API (RPC server), an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 28 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 12, 2026
CVE-2026-45638Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (June 2026)
In Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Microsoft disclosed it on August 12, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the June 2026 Windows security update (KB5093998, KB5094041, KB5094042) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 10, 2026
CVE-2026-50309Windows NTFS
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (July 2026)
In Windows NTFS, an attacker with an ordinary user account could run their own code once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Microsoft disclosed it on August 10, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the July 2026 Windows security update (KB5099444, KB5099445, KB5099535) for 27 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 14, 2026
CVE-2026-50313Windows NTFS
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (July 2026)
In Windows NTFS, an attacker with no account could run their own code once they can run code on the PC, but only if someone opens a file, link or message. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Microsoft disclosed it on August 14, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the July 2026 Windows security update (KB5099444, KB5099445, KB5099535) for 27 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 27, 2026
CVE-2026-50435Windows Overlay Filter
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (July 2026)
In Windows Overlay Filter, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Microsoft disclosed it on August 27, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the July 2026 Windows security update (KB5099444, KB5099535, KB5099536) for 25 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsAugust 25, 2026
CVE-2026-50448Windows NTFS
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (July 2026)
In Windows NTFS, an attacker with no account could run their own code once they can run code on the PC, but only if someone opens a file, link or message. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Microsoft disclosed it on August 25, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the July 2026 Windows security update (KB5099444, KB5099445, KB5099535) for 27 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
Why an MSP manages this
Reading the list is the easy part
Nobody running a business reads all of them, and nobody should have to. The work is deciding which ones matter today, testing the fixes, getting them onto every PC and Mac without breaking the workday, and proving it was done.
- 01
Triage that starts with the exploited ones
Most of these fixes can ride the normal monthly rollout. A handful need action the same day. Telling them apart, every month, on every machine, is the core of the work, and it is the part an office manager rarely has time for.
- 02
Testing before everyone gets it
Updates go to a test ring and a pilot group first, so a broken accounting package or design tool shows up on two machines instead of forty, and the rollout pauses until it is sorted.
- 03
Restarts that don't wreck the workday
Windows updates usually need a restart and macOS updates often do. Deadlines, maintenance windows and grace periods get the fix installed without forcing a reboot in the middle of a client call.
- 04
Macs managed as seriously as PCs
Windows patching tools don't patch Macs. macOS updates need their own install-by deadlines through device management, and major upgrades need the same compatibility testing a Windows feature update gets.
- 05
A plan for machines that can't update
Hardware that ages out and versions past end of support stop getting every fix. They need a decision, isolate, upgrade or replace, before they become the easiest way in.
- 06
Proof when someone asks
Cyber insurance applications, customer security questionnaires and frameworks such as the FTC Safeguards Rule all ask how you keep systems patched. A managed service keeps the inventory and the reports that answer them.
The ins and outs
What keeping Windows and Mac patched actually involves
Windows
Patch Tuesday, and the exceptions
Microsoft ships security updates on the second Tuesday of each month, and out of band when something can't wait. This log marks the out-of-band ones.
Cumulative updates
Each month's Windows update carries the earlier months' fixes, so a PC that missed one catches up with the next, as long as it actually installs.
Fixed first, announced later
Some fixes ship before the vulnerability is disclosed. This log flags them, because a PC that is already current is already covered.
Rings, deferrals and deadlines
Windows Update for Business and Intune let you delay updates for a test group, set an install-by deadline and give a grace period before a forced restart.
Known Issue Rollback and safeguard holds
Microsoft can quietly roll back a change that breaks something, and holds back feature updates from PCs it knows will have trouble. Both explain why two PCs on the same network can be on different builds.
Feature updates and end of support
Each Windows version is serviced for a fixed period. Windows 10 PCs past end of support only get security fixes through the paid Extended Security Updates program.
Mac
No fixed release day
Apple publishes security updates when they are ready, often several times a month around a major release, so Mac patching runs on alerts, not a calendar.
Updates versus upgrades
A point update (26.7 to 26.7.1) fixes problems. A major upgrade (Tahoe to Golden Gate) changes the system and needs the same app testing as a Windows feature update.
Older versions get some fixes, not all
Apple's deployment guide says not every security issue is fixed in previous major versions. Staying a version behind is a choice with a cost, not a safe default.
Install-by deadlines through device management
Without enforcement, a macOS update prompt can be put off again and again. Device management can set a deadline so the update installs on schedule.
Macs that age out
When a Mac can no longer run a current macOS version, it stops getting the full set of fixes. Inventory by model and macOS version shows which ones are next.
Apple Business for zero-touch setup
New Macs enrolled through Apple Business arrive already managed, so update policy applies from the first login instead of after someone remembers to enroll them.
Both platforms
Third-party apps aren't on these lists
Browsers, PDF readers, accounting software, VPN clients and plug-ins patch on their own schedules. A machine can be current on Windows or macOS and still exposed through an app.
Firmware and drivers
BIOS and UEFI firmware, docks and network gear get security fixes too, and they rarely update themselves.
Recovery keys before big changes
Before a feature update or a major macOS upgrade, confirm BitLocker and FileVault recovery keys are escrowed somewhere you can reach.
Laptops that are rarely in the office
Remote and travelling staff need updates delivered over the internet with the same deadlines as office machines, or they drift months behind.
You can't patch what you can't see
An up-to-date inventory of every PC and Mac, with its version and last update, is what turns a list like this one into a finished job.