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 4 of 12 · sorted by risk, then score
Normal cycle60 on this page · tap one for its risk review
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-68838Windows 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 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-2026-68878Windows Fast FAT Driver
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows Fast FAT Driver, 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-2026-69271Microsoft Standard XPS
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Microsoft Standard XPS, 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-2026-69322Microsoft Windows Search Component
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Microsoft Windows Search Component, 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, KB5122880, KB5122882) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69332Windows 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69346Windows Print Spooler Components
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows Print Spooler Components, 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-2026-69365Microsoft Local Security Authority (LSA) Server
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Microsoft Local Security Authority (LSA) Server, 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, KB5122878, KB5122880) for 18 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69371Windows Overlay Filter
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows Overlay Filter, 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 28 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69412Windows DHCP Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows DHCP Server, an attacker with an ordinary user account could run their own code from the same local network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.0. 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-2026-69418Volume Manager Driver
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Volume Manager Driver, 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-2026-69423Windows USB Video Driver
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows USB Video Driver, 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-2026-69427Microsoft VOLSNAP.SYS
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Microsoft VOLSNAP.SYS, 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-2026-69458Windows BitLocker
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows BitLocker, 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69462Windows Error Reporting
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows Error Reporting, 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-2026-69481Windows Enterprise App Management
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows Enterprise App Management, 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-2026-69503Windows USB Driver
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows USB Driver, 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 22 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69505Windows 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69512Windows Spaceport.sys
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows Spaceport.sys, 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 26 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69619Windows exFAT File System
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows exFAT File System, 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69625Connected User Experiences and Telemetry
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Connected User Experiences and Telemetry, 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 22 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69643Windows Spaceport.sys
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows Spaceport.sys, 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69681Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) Miniport Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulernability
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) Miniport Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulernability, 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69717Windows Group Policy
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows Group Policy, 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-2026-69727Windows Biometric Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows Biometric Service, 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 26 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69762Windows Win32k
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows Win32k, 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 22 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69773Windows Biometric Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows Biometric Service, 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 26 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69807PowerShell
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In PowerShell, 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69826Windows Biometric Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows Biometric Service, 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 26 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69847Windows DHCP Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows DHCP Server, an attacker with an ordinary user account could run their own code from the same local network without anyone clicking anything. 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-2026-69875Windows 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 22 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-69876Windows DHCP Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8
In Windows DHCP Server, an attacker with an ordinary user account could run their own code from the same local network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.0. 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 30, 2026
CVE-2026-49800Windows Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Protocol (WPAD)
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (July 2026)
In Windows Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Protocol (WPAD), 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 September 30, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the July 2026 Windows security update (KB5099536, KB5099538, KB5099539) for 19 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 29, 2026
CVE-2026-50357Windows Resilient File System (ReFS)
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (July 2026)
In Windows Resilient File System (ReFS), 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 unlikely". Microsoft disclosed it on September 29, 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 cycleWindowsSeptember 29, 2026
CVE-2026-50400Windows App Package Installer
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (July 2026)
In Windows App Package 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 unlikely". Microsoft disclosed it on September 29, 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 cycleWindowsSeptember 11, 2026
CVE-2026-50676Windows Media
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (July 2026)
In Windows Media, 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 unlikely". Microsoft disclosed it on September 11, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the July 2026 Windows security update (KB5101649, KB5101650) for 6 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 11, 2026
CVE-2026-50679Windows Search Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (July 2026)
In Windows Search 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 less likely". Microsoft disclosed it on September 11, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the July 2026 Windows security update (KB5099536, KB5101649, KB5101650) for 8 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 11, 2026
CVE-2026-54124Windows Terminal
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (July 2026)
In Windows Terminal, 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 September 11, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the July 2026 Windows security update (KB5099536, KB5099539, KB5099540) for 15 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 29, 2026
CVE-2026-56172Windows VHD miniport driver
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Out of band
In Windows VHD miniport 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 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-2026-56177Windows Server
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 26 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-56198Microsoft Trace Data Helper
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Microsoft Trace Data Helper, 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5124008, KB5124012) for 8 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 11, 2026
CVE-2026-61349Windows Work Folder Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (August 2026)
In Windows Work Folder 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 unlikely". Microsoft disclosed it on September 11, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 28 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 30, 2026
CVE-2026-62722Microsoft Brokering File System
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (August 2026)
In Microsoft Brokering File System, 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 September 30, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120233, KB5120994) for 8 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 2, 2026
CVE-2026-62768Windows Installer
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (August 2026)
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 less likely". Microsoft disclosed it on September 2, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-62776Windows DHCP Server
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (August 2026)
In Windows DHCP 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". Microsoft disclosed it on September 8, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 11, 2026
CVE-2026-62799Windows SMB Client
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (August 2026)
In Windows SMB Client, 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 September 11, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5121000) for 2 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-62803Windows DHCP Server
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (August 2026)
In Windows DHCP 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". Microsoft disclosed it on September 8, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-62807Windows DHCP Server
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (August 2026)
In Windows DHCP 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". Microsoft disclosed it on September 8, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-62810Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS)
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS), 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 unlikely". Fixed in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 2, 2026
CVE-2026-62880Windows NTFS
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (August 2026)
In Windows NTFS, 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 unlikely". Microsoft disclosed it on September 2, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 30, 2026
CVE-2026-65787Desktop Window Manager
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (August 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 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Microsoft disclosed it on September 30, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 26 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-68832Windows NTFS
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows NTFS, 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-68841Windows NTFS
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows NTFS, 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-68844Windows Storage Spaces Controller
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows Storage Spaces Controller, 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". 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-2026-68845Windows 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 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-2026-68848Windows Print Spooler Components
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows Print Spooler Components, 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-68850Microsoft Account
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Microsoft Account, 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5124008) for 6 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-68875Windows NTFS
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
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 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-2026-68877Windows Storage Spaces Controller
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows Storage Spaces Controller, 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". 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-2026-68885Microsoft Standard XPS
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Microsoft Standard XPS, 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 September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsSeptember 8, 2026
CVE-2026-68888Microsoft Standard XPS
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Microsoft Standard XPS, 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 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.