CVE-2026-45585
CVE-2026-45585 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 11 24h2 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.8. 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-77.
Key facts
- Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.8)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (66th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2026-31006
- Weakness: CWE-77
- Affected product: Microsoft Windows 11 24h2
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Microsoft is aware of a security feature bypass vulnerability in Windows publicly referred to as "YellowKey". The proof of concept for this vulnerability has been made public violating coordinated vulnerability best practices. We are issuing this CVE to provide mitigation guidance that can be implemented to protect against this vulnerability until the security update is made available. Mitigation FAQs Should I leverage the temporary mitigation? Microsoft recommends that you consider implementing these mitigations if you are concerned your devices and data are at risk of being compromised or stolen. For example, if your organization’s employees take their work devices home or on business travel. What impact to service availability/management could be caused by implementing the mitigations? Implementing these mitigations will not impact service availability or management operations. Do customers need to revert the changes made to mitigate the vulnerability once the security update to protect against this vulnerability is available? No. The security update will maintain the mitigation's behavior once the security update is installed. I am using TPM+PIN, am I at risk of this vulnerability being exploited No, if you are using TPM+PIN the vulnerability is not exploitable.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2026-45585?
- Microsoft is aware of a security feature bypass vulnerability in Windows publicly referred to as "YellowKey". The proof of concept for this vulnerability has been made public violating coordinated vulnerability best practices. We are issuing this CVE to provide mitigation guidance that can be implemented to protect against this vulnerability until the security update is made available. Mitigation FAQs Should I leverage the temporary mitigation? Microsoft recommends that you consider implementing these mitigations if you are concerned your devices and data are at risk of being compromised or stolen. For example, if your organization’s employees take their work devices home or on business travel. What impact to service availability/management could be caused by implementing the mitigations? Implementing these mitigations will not impact service availability or management operations. Do customers need to revert the changes made to mitigate the vulnerability once the security update to protect against this vulnerability is available? No. The security update will maintain the mitigation's behavior once the security update is installed. I am using TPM+PIN, am I at risk of this vulnerability being exploited No, if you are using TPM+PIN the vulnerability is not exploitable.
- How severe is CVE-2026-45585?
- CVE-2026-45585 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.8, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over physical access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2026-45585 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (66th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2026-45585?
- CVE-2026-45585 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 11 24h2. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2026-45585?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
- Does CVE-2026-45585 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2026-45585 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-31006.
- When was CVE-2026-45585 published?
- CVE-2026-45585 was published on 2026-05-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-45585
- https://github.com/Nightmare-Eclipse/YellowKey
Affected products (4)
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_26h1:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows 11 24h2
- CVE-2025-49708 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Use after free in Microsoft Graphics Component allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
- CVE-2026-47291 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Integer overflow or wraparound in Windows HTTP.sys allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
- CVE-2026-45657 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Use after free in Windows Kernel allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
- CVE-2026-44815 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Stack-based buffer overflow in Windows DHCP Client allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
- CVE-2026-41096 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Windows DNS allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
- CVE-2026-33824 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Double free in Windows IKE Extension allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
All CVEs affecting Microsoft Windows 11 24h2 →
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