Actively exploited · Published Aug 11, 2026 · Assigned by microsoft

CVE-2026-68820Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

High 7.0 Exploited

In plain English

A high-severity use-after-free in Windows 10 Version 1607 from Microsoft. Attackers are actively exploiting it in the wild (listed by CISA on August 11, 2026). The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 8.6% (higher than 95% of all known vulnerabilities). Ready-made attack tooling exists: public proof-of-concept code. Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.

Severity (CVSS 3.1)7.0High
Exploit odds (30 days)8.6%top 4.9% of all CVEs
Exploited in the wildYesCISA KEV since Aug 11, 2026
Attack tooling1Public PoC

CISA guidance

Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.

Federal agencies must remediate by Aug 25, 2026.

Official description

Use after free in Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Affected products (as reported)

VendorProductVersions
Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607 10.0.14393.0 – before 10.0.14393.9418
Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 10.0.17763.0 – before 10.0.17763.9121
Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21H2 10.0.19044.0 – before 10.0.19044.7663
Microsoft Windows 10 Version 22H2 10.0.19045.0 – before 10.0.19045.7663
Microsoft Windows 11 version 23H2 10.0.22631.0 – before 10.0.22631.7517
Microsoft Windows 11 Version 23H2 10.0.22631.0 – before 10.0.22631.7517
Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24H2 10.0.26100.0 – before 10.0.26100.9168
Microsoft Windows 11 Version 25H2 10.0.26200.0 – before 10.0.26200.9168
Microsoft Windows 11 version 26H1 10.0.28000.0 – before 10.0.28000.2704
Microsoft Windows Server 2012 6.2.9200.0 – before 6.2.9200.26280
Microsoft Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) 6.2.9200.0 – before 6.2.9200.26280
Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 6.3.9600.0 – before 6.3.9600.23338
Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) 6.3.9600.0 – before 6.3.9600.23338
Microsoft Windows Server 2016 10.0.14393.0 – before 10.0.14393.9418
Microsoft Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) 10.0.14393.0 – before 10.0.14393.9418
Microsoft Windows Server 2019 10.0.17763.0 – before 10.0.17763.9121
Microsoft Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) 10.0.17763.0 – before 10.0.17763.9121
Microsoft Windows Server 2022 10.0.20348.0 – before 10.0.20348.5499
Microsoft Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.0 – before 10.0.26100.33296
Microsoft Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.0 – before 10.0.26100.33296

Weakness: CWE-416 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

References