Windows · Microsoft · released October 13, 2026
Windows security updates, October 2026: every vulnerability, rated
Microsoft published 1,165 Windows vulnerabilities in October 2026, most of them on Patch Tuesday, October 13, 2026. 42 are rated Critical. 2 were already being exploited, so they go to the top of the list. 158 more deserve attention this week; 1,005 can follow the normal monthly rollout. 51 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
- 1,165
- Patch now
- 2
- This week
- 158
- Normal cycle
- 972
- Low
- 33
Fixed in: October 2026 Windows security update restart requiredMicrosoft release notes
Page 1 of 20 · sorted by risk, then score
Patch now2 on this page
- Patch nowWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-96951Windows Shell
Security Feature Bypass · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8 · EPSS 0.02
In Windows Shell, an attacker with no account could get around a Windows security protection over the network, but only if someone opens a file, link or message. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft reports it has been exploited in real attacks. CISA lists it as a Known Exploited Vulnerability, meaning attacks have been seen (added 2026-10-13; federal agencies must fix it by 2026-10-16). EPSS score 0.02, the modelled probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days. Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Patch nowWindowsOctober 6, 2026
CVE-2026-81963Windows Update Stack
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (September 2026)
In Windows Update Stack, 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 reports it has been exploited in real attacks. CISA lists it as a Known Exploited Vulnerability, meaning attacks have been seen (added 2026-09-08; federal agencies must fix it by 2026-09-22). Microsoft disclosed it on October 6, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122880, KB5124008) for 10 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
This week58 on this page
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-100202Windows Message Queuing Queue Manager
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 9.8
In Windows Message Queuing Queue Manager, 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-100219Microsoft 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 "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653, KB5126655) for 14 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-105016Microsoft 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 "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653, KB5126655) for 14 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 6, 2026
CVE-2026-65791Windows iSCSI Target Service
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 9.8 · Fixed earlier (August 2026)
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 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Microsoft disclosed it on October 6, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120228, KB5120229, KB5120233) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70147Microsoft PostScript Printer Driver
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 9.8
In Microsoft PostScript Printer 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 less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70153Microsoft PostScript Printer Driver
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 9.8
In Microsoft PostScript Printer 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 less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 6, 2026
CVE-2026-73009Windows Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP)
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 9.8 · Fixed earlier (September 2026)
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 9.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Microsoft disclosed it on October 6, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-96934Windows DHCP Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 9.8
In Windows DHCP 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126655) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-97814Windows Text Shaping
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 9.8
In Windows Text Shaping, 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-100220Windows Media Video Decoder
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Media Video Decoder, 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-102214Windows Hyper-V
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Hyper-V, an attacker with an ordinary user account could run their own code once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 28 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-102217WebDAV
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8 · EPSS 0.01
In WebDAV, 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 more likely". EPSS score 0.01, the modelled probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days. Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-102225Windows Text Shaping
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Text Shaping, 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-105733Windows Hyper-V
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Hyper-V, an attacker with an ordinary user account could run their own code once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653, KB5126655) for 20 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-108467Microsoft PostScript Printer Driver
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.8
In Microsoft PostScript Printer Driver, 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-108471Windows Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Enclave
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Enclave, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126651) for 4 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 14, 2026
CVE-2026-69676Windows Kerberos
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.8 · Fixed earlier (September 2026)
In Windows Kerberos, 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 more likely". Microsoft disclosed it on October 14, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-69918Windows Core Messaging
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Core Messaging, 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 more likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 28 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70250Windows DHCP Client
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.8
In Windows DHCP Client, 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126655) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83934Windows 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-88073Windows Graphics Kernel
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Graphics Kernel, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653, KB5126657) for 18 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-88159Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.8 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), 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 more likely". EPSS score 0.01, the modelled probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days. Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-96913Windows Kernel
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Kernel, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-96914Windows Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Enclave
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.8
In Windows Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Enclave, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 28 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-96952Microsoft Windows Media Foundation
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · 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 Critical, CVSS 8.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 6, 2026
CVE-2026-54128Windows DHCP Client
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.4 · Fixed earlier (July 2026)
In Windows DHCP Client, an attacker with no account could run their own code once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Critical, CVSS 8.4. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Microsoft disclosed it on October 6, 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 weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-108457Microsoft Windows PDF
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.1
In Microsoft Windows PDF, 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653, KB5126655) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-108460Windows Message Queuing
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · 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 Critical, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-69802Network Device Enrollment Service (NDES)
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.1
In Network Device Enrollment Service (NDES), 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126655) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70187Windows Remote Desktop Services
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.1
In Windows Remote Desktop Services, 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126655) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70229Windows Active Directory Domain Services
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · 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 Critical, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 5, 2026
CVE-2026-72936Windows SMB Client
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 8.1 · Fixed earlier (September 2026)
In Windows SMB Client, 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 more likely". Microsoft disclosed it on October 5, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122880, KB5122882) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-88117Windows DHCP Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · 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 Critical, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126655) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-88119Windows DHCP Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · 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 Critical, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126655) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-88120Windows DHCP Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · 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 Critical, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126655) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-88171Windows DHCP Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · 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 Critical, CVSS 8.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126655) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-88174Windows Deployment Services
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 8.1
In Windows Deployment Services, 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126655) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-100215Microsoft Graphics Component
Remote Code Execution · Severity Critical · CVSS 7.8
In Microsoft Graphics Component, 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 Critical, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-108130Windows Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Enclave
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Critical · CVSS 7.8
In Windows Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Enclave, 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5127646, KB5127648) for 10 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 6, 2026
CVE-2026-50387Windows GDI
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (July 2026)
In Windows GDI, 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 October 6, 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 weekWindowsOctober 14, 2026
CVE-2026-62688Windows MIDI Service Module Elevation of Privileges Vulnerability
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (August 2026)
In Windows MIDI Service Module Elevation of Privileges Vulnerability, 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 October 14, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120994, KB5121000, KB5121003) for 6 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 6, 2026
CVE-2026-62698Microsoft Digest Authentication
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (August 2026)
In Microsoft Digest Authentication, 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 October 6, 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.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-62737Windows Kernel
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (August 2026)
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 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Microsoft disclosed it on October 13, 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.
- This weekWindowsOctober 6, 2026
CVE-2026-62741Windows HTTP.sys
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (August 2026)
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". Microsoft disclosed it on October 6, 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.
- This weekWindowsOctober 7, 2026
CVE-2026-66804Microsoft Windows Cross Device Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (August 2026)
In Microsoft Windows Cross Device 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". Microsoft disclosed it on October 7, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the August 2026 Windows security update (KB5120249, KB5120994, KB5121000) for 9 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 6, 2026
CVE-2026-69436Windows State Repository Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (September 2026)
In Windows State Repository 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". Microsoft disclosed it on October 6, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 22 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 7, 2026
CVE-2026-69467Microsoft Graphics Component
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8 · Fixed earlier (September 2026)
In Microsoft Graphics Component, 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 October 7, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122878, KB5122880, KB5124008) for 14 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-69673Windows Update
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows Update, 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653, KB5127646) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-69718Windows Update
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows Update, 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653, KB5127646) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-69733Windows Update
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows Update, 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653, KB5127646) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-69783Windows Update
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows Update, 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653, KB5127646) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-69880Desktop Window Manager
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
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 more likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-69882Windows Update
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows Update, 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653, KB5127646) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-69923Windows AI
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows AI, 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5127646, KB5127648) for 10 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-69926Desktop Window Manager
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
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 more likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70054Windows NetBIOS
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
In Windows NetBIOS, 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70060Windows 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 October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- This weekWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70103Windows Error Reporting
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.8
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 7.8. Microsoft rates it "exploitation more likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 28 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.