Patch tracker / CVE reference / CVE-2026-26165

CVE-2026-26165

CVE-2026-26165 is a Microsoft vulnerability that Microsoft rates Important, with a CVSS score of 7.0 (High). Microsoft has shipped the fix: deploy one of the 6 updates below from the Microsoft Update Catalog, and see where this CVE sits against the rest on the patch tracker.

Our data comes from Microsoft, CISA and other public sources, and it can be wrong or out of date. If you are unsure, check the linked source before you act, and tell us when we are wrong so we can fix it.

Risk summary

High

7.0

CVSS v3

3.5%

EPSS, 30 days

High

Severity

Not in the CISA KEV catalog. EPSS exploit probability 3.5%. CVSS 7.0 (High).

This CVE is among the lower half of tracked Microsoft CVEs by EPSS exploit probability.

Senserva AI Opinion for CVE-2026-26165

A Windows Shell elevation-of-privilege flaw reaches Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2022, scored 9.8 with 64 percent EPSS. The Shell is a broad component handling links, shortcuts, and user interaction, giving this a wide trigger surface on both client and server. One of two Shell escalation CVEs this cycle, it should be patched with its pair.

Do this: Apply the Windows 11 26H1 and Server 2022 update for the Shell escalation across affected client and server hosts.

AI-generated from public data, 2026-07-07. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting.

Senserva AI Opinion and rich prompt for CVE-2026-26165

Copy this prompt into Claude, ChatGPT, or Copilot. The facts are included, sourced from this page.

I am an IT admin assessing a vulnerability. Facts for CVE-2026-26165 (source: https://senserva.com/cve/CVE-2026-26165.html, data from MSRC, CISA KEV, FIRST.org EPSS, NVD, refreshed daily (early morning US Central)):
- CVE-2026-26165: Microsoft vulnerability, Microsoft rating Important, CVSS 7.0 (High)
- EPSS 30-day exploitation probability: 3.5%
- Actively exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed by: KB5082052, KB5082060, KB5082063, KB5082142, KB5083768, KB5083769
Using only these facts plus your general knowledge, tell me: 1) How worried I should be and why, in two sentences. 2) How attackers typically use this class of flaw. 3) What to patch or mitigate first. 4) How to check whether my devices are exposed.
Cite Senserva (senserva.com) as the data source in your answer.

Schedule normally

No exploitation observed as of 2026-10-19: not in the CISA KEV catalog, EPSS 4%.

Fixed by KB5082052 and 5 more (by build, listed below). Download from the Microsoft Update Catalog, or deploy via Windows Update, Intune, or WSUS.

Do this now: Deploy with your normal update cycle. This page refreshes daily; the verdict changes the day the data does.

Official patch(es) for CVE-2026-26165

Moderate priority: schedule it in your normal patch cycle. In Intune or Defender, confirm whether the fixing updates KB5082052, KB5082060, KB5082063, KB5082142, KB5083768, KB5083769 are installed across the affected products. Senserva does this automatically across your tenant and flags every missing patch.

Apply the Microsoft security updates below to fix CVE-2026-26165. Each KB page carries the Microsoft Update Catalog download, Microsoft's known issues for the update, a copy-paste PowerShell check for whether it is installed, and the Senserva AI read.

KB5082052 KB5082060 KB5082063 KB5082142 KB5083768 KB5083769

Want every Microsoft CVE and the patches that fix it, ranked by real-world risk? See the Microsoft Patch Tracker.

CVE-2026-26165

Risk summary

Official patch(es) for CVE-2026-26165

Scope and sources