CVE-2026-26159

CVE-2026-26159 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1607 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-306.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (18th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2026-22382
• Weakness: CWE-306
• Affected product: Microsoft Windows 10 1607
• Published: 2026-04-14
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Missing authentication for critical function in Windows Remote Desktop Licensing Service allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-26159?

Missing authentication for critical function in Windows Remote Desktop Licensing Service allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

How severe is CVE-2026-26159?

CVE-2026-26159 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2026-26159 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (18th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2026-26159?

CVE-2026-26159 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 10 1607. In total, 25 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2026-26159?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

Does CVE-2026-26159 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2026-26159 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-22382.

When was CVE-2026-26159 published?

CVE-2026-26159 was published on 2026-04-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-26159

Affected products (25)

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_23h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_23h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_26h1:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_26h1:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022_23h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 10 1607

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• CVE-2026-62893 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Use after free in Windows Deployment Services allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
• CVE-2026-62878 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Stack-based buffer overflow in Windows DNS allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
• CVE-2026-56190 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Use of uninitialized resource in Windows RDP allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
• CVE-2026-56188 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization ('race condition') in Windows Server Network…

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Other CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function) vulnerabilities

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