Microsoft Windows WalletService: Elevation of privilege via link following
Summary
The Windows WalletService handles link resolution improperly before file access (CWE-59, link following). A local user with low privileges can abuse this to elevate privileges to SYSTEM level, which allows full impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability. The attack needs local logon and no user interaction, so it is an escalation step rather than an initial access vector. Microsoft has released fixes for affected Windows 10, Windows 11 and Windows Server builds.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1607 (10.0.14393.0 to below 10.0.14393.9612)
- Windows 10 Version 1809 (10.0.17763.0 to below 10.0.17763.9376)
- Windows 10 Version 21H2 (10.0.19044.0 to below 10.0.19044.7807)
- Windows 10 Version 22H2 (10.0.19045.0 to below 10.0.19045.7807, CNA fixed value unreliable)
- Windows 11 Version 23H2 (10.0.22631.0 to below 10.0.22631.7652)
- Windows 11 Version 24H2 (10.0.26100.0 to below 10.0.26100.9711)
- Windows 11 Version 25H2 (10.0.26200.0 to below 10.0.26200.9711)
- Windows 11 Version 26H1 (10.0.28000.0 to below 10.0.28000.3231)
- Windows 11 Version 26H2 (10.0.26300.0 to below 10.0.26300.9711)
- Windows Server 2016, including Server Core (10.0.14393.0 to below 10.0.14393.9612)
- Windows Server 2019, including Server Core (10.0.17763.0 to below 10.0.17763.9376)
- Windows Server 2022 (10.0.20348.0 to below 10.0.20348.5761)
Fixed in
- Windows 10 1607 and Server 2016: 10.0.14393.9612 (CNA data, not yet verified on the MSRC page; KB number unknown)
- Windows 10 1809 and Server 2019: 10.0.17763.9376
- Windows 10 21H2: 10.0.19044.7807
- Windows 10 22H2: unverified, check the MSRC page
- Windows 11 23H2: 10.0.22631.7652
- Windows 11 24H2: 10.0.26100.9711
- Windows 11 25H2: 10.0.26200.9711
- Windows 11 26H1: 10.0.28000.3231
- Windows 11 26H2: 10.0.26300.9711
- Windows Server 2022: 10.0.20348.5761
Workaround
Unknown. No official workaround is documented. Patching is the only documented fix.
Exploitation
- Microsoft: not publicly disclosed.
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no.
- Not listed in the KEV catalog. EPSS below 1%.
- No public proof of concept found as of 1 Nov 2026.
Our recommendation
- Install the October 2026 security update on every affected build. Verify the exact build and KB numbers on the MSRC page first.
- Prioritize Windows 10 1607 and Server 2016 hosts, terminal servers and shared multi-user systems.
- Check whether Windows 10 1607 is still supported and plan an upgrade if it is not.
- Monitor for exploitation or a public proof of concept for this CVE.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday October 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Elevation of privilege – Windows WalletService
- Status on Patch Tuesday
- Neither exploited nor publicly disclosed
- Exploitability assessment
- Exploitation less likely
- Product family
- Windows, Windows ESU (Extended Security Updates)
- Updates (KB)
- KB5126868, KB5126651, KB5126657, KB5126655, KB5126653, KB5127648
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-96243 msrc.microsoft.com
- Vulners: CVE-2026-96243 (CNA data) vulners.com
- OpenCVE: CVE-2026-96243 app.opencve.io
- 0patch: Micropatches for Windows WalletService elevation of privilege 0patch.com
- SentinelOne: CVE-2026-49176 (related WalletService flaw) www.sentinelone.com
- Cybersecuritynews: Windows WalletService vulnerability PoC released cybersecuritynews.com
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 2 Nov 2026, 00:57.
Original description (NVD)
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows WalletService allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
NVD references (1)
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
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