Status: KEV | Advisory ID: CVE-2026-68820
| CVE | CVE-2026-68820 |
| Vulnerability Name | Microsoft Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock Use-After-Free Vulnerability |
| CVSS Score / Version | 7.0 (High) / CVSS v3.1 |
| Updated | 2026-09-22 |
| CVSS Vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| CVSS Prose | attack vector is local; attack complexity is high; privileges required is low; user interaction is none; scope is unchanged; confidentiality impact is high; integrity impact is high; availability impact is high. |
| Affected products | see table below |
| Exploitation status | Listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating confirmed active exploitation. |
| Classified as | CWE-416 (Use After Free) |
| KEV listing | Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog on 2026-08-11. |
| Exploitation prediction (EPSS) | 0.33% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days (24% percentile) -- FIRST.org's EPSS model. |
| Federal remediation deadline | 2026-08-25 (CISA KEV, Binding Operational Directive). |
| Vendor | Product | Affected Versions | Patch Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Windows 11 (version 23H2) | ||
| Microsoft | Windows 11 (version 24H2) | ||
| Microsoft | Windows 11 (version 25H2) | ||
| Microsoft | Windows 11 (version 26H1) | ||
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2025 | ||
| Microsoft | Windows 10 (version 1607) | ||
| Microsoft | Windows 10 (version 1809) | ||
| Microsoft | Windows 10 (version 21H2) | ||
| Microsoft | Windows 10 (version 22H2) | ||
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2012 | ||
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2016 | ||
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2019 | ||
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2022 | ||
| Microsoft | Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock |
| Subsystems | Core Infrastructure, EWS Workstation Delivery/Virtualization |
| Sectors | All Sectors |
Microsoft Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Monitor Microsoft's web page for any future patch releases.
| Source | Reference |
|---|---|
| NVD | https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-68820 |
| CVE | https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-68820 |
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| KEV Link | https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog |
| Date Added to KEV | 2026-08-11 |
| Required Action Due Date | 2026-08-25 |
| Required Action | 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. |