Windows · Microsoft · released September 8, 2026
Windows security updates, September 2026: every vulnerability, rated
Microsoft published 705 Windows vulnerabilities in September 2026, most of them on Patch Tuesday, September 8, 2026. 71 are rated Critical. 1 was already being exploited, so it goes to the top of the list. 119 more deserve attention this week; 585 can follow the normal monthly rollout. 27 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
- 705
- Patch now
- 1
- This week
- 119
- Normal cycle
- 543
- Low
- 42
Fixed in: September 2026 Windows security update restart requiredMicrosoft release notes
Page 3 of 12 · sorted by risk, then score
Normal cycle60 on this page · tap one for its risk review
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-68839Windows USB Mass Storage Class Driver
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 9.8 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows USB Mass Storage Class Driver, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". EPSS score 0.01, the modelled probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days. Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69276Microsoft UxTheme Library (uxtheme.dll)
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 9.8
In Microsoft UxTheme Library (uxtheme.dll), an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69408Microsoft Windows Media Foundation
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 9.8
In Microsoft Windows Media Foundation, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69431Telnet Client
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 9.8
In Telnet Client, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69463Windows NTFS
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 9.8
In Windows NTFS, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69491Microsoft DirectMusic
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 9.8
In Microsoft DirectMusic, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69493Windows Event Logging Service
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 9.8
In Windows Event Logging Service, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69496Windows Compressed Folder
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 9.8
In Windows Compressed Folder, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 30, 2026
CVE-2026-69586Microsoft Windows PDF
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 9.8 · Out of band
In Microsoft Windows PDF, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 26 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69715Windows Direct Show
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 9.8
In Windows Direct Show, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69768Windows RNDIS
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 9.8
In Windows RNDIS, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69819RPC Runtime Library
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 9.8
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 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69824Microsoft Standard XPS
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 9.8
In Microsoft Standard XPS, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69910Windows Hyper-V
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 9.8
In Windows Hyper-V, an attacker with no account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 26 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-73025Windows iSCSI
Security Feature Bypass · Severity Important · CVSS 9.8
In Windows iSCSI, an attacker with no account could get around a Windows security protection over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122882) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-62706Microsoft Windows Media Foundation
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Microsoft Windows Media Foundation, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-62744Microsoft Windows Media Foundation
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Microsoft Windows Media Foundation, 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5124008, KB5124012) for 8 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-68828Remote Desktop Client
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · 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 Important, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69291Windows Volume Manager Extension Driver
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Volume Manager Extension Driver, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69360Microsoft Office Word
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Microsoft Office Word, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69386Microsoft Windows Media Foundation
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Microsoft Windows Media Foundation, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 22 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69434Windows URL Moniker
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows URL Moniker, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69461Windows NTFS
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows NTFS, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69485Remote Desktop Client
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Remote Desktop Client, 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 26 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69494Windows Event Logging Service
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Event Logging Service, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69495Windows Event Logging Service
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Event Logging Service, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69511Microsoft Windows Media Foundation
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Microsoft Windows Media Foundation, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69547Windows DHCP Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows DHCP 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122882) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69551Windows DNS Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows DNS 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122882) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69628Windows iSCSI
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows iSCSI, 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69669Windows Kernel
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Kernel, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69729Windows Credential Providers
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Credential Providers, 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5124008, KB5124012) for 8 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69772Windows Network File System
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Network File System, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-71336Windows Work Folder Service
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Work Folder Service, 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122882) for 14 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-71352Windows Remote Access Connection Manager
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Remote Access Connection Manager, 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-72933Microsoft WDAC OLE DB provider for SQL
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Microsoft WDAC OLE DB provider for SQL, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-73012Windows Management Services
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Management Services, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 11, 2026
CVE-2026-73016DirectWrite
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8 · Out of band
In DirectWrite, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-80096Windows Remote Desktop Services
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Remote Desktop Services, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-83992Windows Imaging Component
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Imaging Component, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-83996Windows Error Reporting
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Error Reporting, 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 "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-83998Remote Desktop Client
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · 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 Important, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 26 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-85877Windows Print Spooler
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Print Spooler, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5124008) for 1 supported Windows version; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69479Windows NTFS
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.4
In Windows NTFS, an attacker with no account could run their own code once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.4. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69638Windows NTFS
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.4
In Windows NTFS, an attacker with no account could run their own code once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.4. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-77503Windows NTFS
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8.4
In Windows NTFS, an attacker with no account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.4. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69325Microsoft JScript
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.1
In Microsoft JScript, 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 28 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69438Microsoft JScript
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.1
In Microsoft JScript, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69510Windows DHCP Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.1
In Windows DHCP Server, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122882) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69524Windows Active Directory Domain Services
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.1
In Windows Active Directory Domain Services, 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69546Windows Active Directory Domain Services
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.1
In Windows Active Directory Domain Services, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69680Windows DNS
Spoofing · Severity Important · CVSS 8.1
In Windows DNS, an attacker with no account could impersonate a trusted user, site or file over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122882) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69732Windows Link Layer Topology Discovery Protocol
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.1
In Windows Link Layer Topology Discovery Protocol, 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69782Windows DNS Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · 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 Important, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122882) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69786Windows Text Shaping
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.1
In Windows Text Shaping, 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 less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69989Windows DNS Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · 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 Important, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122882) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-70563Windows Shell
Spoofing · Severity Important · CVSS 8.1
In Windows Shell, an attacker with no account could impersonate a trusted user, site or file over the network, but only if someone opens a file, link or message. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-83997Windows Message Queuing
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.1
In Windows Message Queuing, 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122878, KB5122880) for 18 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-68827Windows GDI+
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows GDI+, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges over the network, but only if someone opens a file, link or message. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-68834Windows NTFS
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows NTFS, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges over the network, but only if someone opens a file, link or message. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 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.