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 11 of 20 · sorted by risk, then score
Normal cycle60 on this page · tap one for its risk review
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70014Windows Cryptographic Services
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5
In Windows Cryptographic Services, an attacker with an ordinary user account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70031Windows iSCSI
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows iSCSI, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70033Windows Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway)
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway), an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". 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, KB5126655) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70058Windows DHCP Server
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
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 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". 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, KB5126655) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 7, 2026
CVE-2026-70065Windows DHCP Server
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01 · Fixed earlier (September 2026)
In Windows DHCP Server, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". EPSS score 0.01, the modelled probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days. Microsoft disclosed it on October 7, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122882) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70079Windows DNS
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows DNS, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". 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, KB5126655) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70082Windows DNS
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows DNS, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". 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, KB5126655) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 14, 2026
CVE-2026-70095Windows iSCSI
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · Out of band
In Windows iSCSI, 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 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70133Windows SMB Server
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows SMB Server, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70155Windows DNS
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows DNS, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". 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, KB5126655) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70163Microsoft OpenSSH for Windows
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Microsoft OpenSSH for Windows, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less 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 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70207Network Policy Server (NPS)
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5
In Network Policy Server (NPS), an attacker with an ordinary user account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 14, 2026
CVE-2026-77499Windows DHCP Server
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01 · Fixed earlier (September 2026)
In Windows DHCP Server, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". EPSS score 0.01, the modelled probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days. Microsoft disclosed it on October 14, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122882) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 5, 2026
CVE-2026-78446Windows Distributed File System (DFS)
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · Fixed earlier (September 2026)
In Windows Distributed File System (DFS), an attacker with an ordinary user account could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Microsoft disclosed it on October 5, 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83516Windows Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS)
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS), an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". 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, KB5126655) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83635Role: DNS Server
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Role: DNS Server, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less 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, KB5126655) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83645Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS), an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". 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, KB5126655) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83647Windows Active Directory Domain Services
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows Active Directory Domain Services, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". 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 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83655Network Policy Server (NPS)
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Network Policy Server (NPS), an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83665Windows DHCP Server
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows DHCP Server, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less 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, KB5126655) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83670Function Discovery Service (fdwsd.dll)
Information Disclosure · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5
In Function Discovery Service (fdwsd.dll), an attacker with no account could read information they shouldn't see over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83677Windows DHCP Client
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5
In Windows DHCP Client, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5127646, KB5127648) for 10 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83739Windows Bluetooth Service
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5
In Windows Bluetooth Service, an attacker with no account could run their own code from the same local network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83754Microsoft OpenSSH for Windows
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5
In Microsoft OpenSSH for Windows, 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 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83795Windows Internet Key Exchange (IKE) Extension
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows Internet Key Exchange (IKE) Extension, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83843Windows Internet Key Exchange (IKE) Extension
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows Internet Key Exchange (IKE) Extension, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83855Windows WLAN Service
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows WLAN Service, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less 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, KB5126653, KB5127646) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83856Windows Event Logging Service
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5
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 7.5. 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83860Windows GDI
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows GDI, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-84017Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS)
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS), an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-85319Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS), an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". 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, KB5126655) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-85321Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS), an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". 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, KB5126655) for 10 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-85322Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS)
Information Disclosure · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS), an attacker with no account could read information they shouldn't see over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-85324Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5
In Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS), an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126655) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-85334Windows Message Queuing Queue Manager
Information Disclosure · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows Message Queuing Queue Manager, an attacker with no account could read information they shouldn't see over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-85353Windows Print Spooler Components
Information Disclosure · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows Print Spooler Components, an attacker with no account could read information they shouldn't see over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-85808Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS)
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS), an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-85811Network Policy Server (NPS)
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5
In Network Policy Server (NPS), an attacker with no account could run their own code from the same local network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-87713Windows Bluetooth Port Driver Remote Code Execution
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5
In Windows Bluetooth Port Driver Remote Code Execution, an attacker with no account could take higher privileges from the same local network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-87716Windows Storage Spaces Controller
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows Storage Spaces Controller, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less 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 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-96071Windows Media
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5
In Windows Media, 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 7.5. 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-96245Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS)
Information Disclosure · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS), an attacker with no account could read information they shouldn't see over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-96246Network Policy Server (NPS)
Information Disclosure · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Network Policy Server (NPS), an attacker with no account could read information they shouldn't see over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-96248Windows Host Guardian Service
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Windows Host Guardian Service, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less 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, KB5126655) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-96325Windows SMB Server
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5
In Windows SMB Server, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-96861Network Device Enrollment Service (NDES)
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Network Device Enrollment Service (NDES), an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less 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, KB5126655) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-96866Network Device Enrollment Service (NDES)
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5 · EPSS 0.01
In Network Device Enrollment Service (NDES), an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less 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, KB5126655) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-96945Windows Failover Cluster
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5
In Windows Failover Cluster, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126655) for 6 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-97788Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)
Information Disclosure · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5
In Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS), an attacker with no account could read information they shouldn't see over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-97789Remote Desktop Client
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5
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 7.5. 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-97830Windows Internet Information Services
Denial of Service · Severity Important · CVSS 7.5
In Windows Internet Information Services, an attacker with no account could crash or stall the affected service over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.5. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653, KB5126655) for 14 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83511Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)
Spoofing · Severity Important · CVSS 7.4
In Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS), an attacker with no account could impersonate a trusted user, site or file over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.4. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126655) for 14 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-87705Windows Hyper-V
Security Feature Bypass · Severity Important · CVSS 7.4
In Windows Hyper-V, an attacker with no account could get around a Windows security protection from the same local network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.4. 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-85798Windows Distributed File System (DFS)
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.2
In Windows Distributed File System (DFS), an attacker who already has admin rights could run their own code over the network without anyone clicking anything. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.2. 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 5, 2026
CVE-2026-69314Windows Device Association Broker Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7.1 · Fixed earlier (September 2026)
In Windows Device Association Broker 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 7.1. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Microsoft disclosed it on October 5, 2026, but the fix had already shipped in the September 2026 Windows security update (KB5122871, KB5122876, KB5122878) for 26 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 6, 2026
CVE-2026-69536Remote Desktop Services
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.1 · Fixed earlier (September 2026)
In Remote Desktop Services, an attacker with an ordinary user account could run their own code over the network, but only if someone opens a file, link or message. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.1. 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, KB5122880, KB5124008) for 10 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70126Windows Bluetooth Port Driver Remote Code Execution
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.1
In Windows Bluetooth Port Driver Remote Code Execution, an attacker with no account could run their own code from the same local network, but only if someone opens a file, link or message. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.1. 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83715Windows Error Reporting
Tampering · Severity Important · CVSS 7.1
In Windows Error Reporting, an attacker with an ordinary user account could change data or settings they shouldn't control once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.1. 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-85856Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7.1
In Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), 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 7.1. 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.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-100200Windows Update Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Update Service, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653, KB5127646) for 12 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.