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CVE-2026-62696

Windows Program Compatibility Assistant Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Published: Aug 11, 2026Updated: Aug 16, 2026 Sources: CVE List NVDCWE-191
7.8HIGH
NVD MITRE
EPSS Score
3.2%
Top 13.0%
CISA KEV
Not in KEV
Exploits
No Known Exploits
Remediation
Patch Available
Self-Check
OpenVAS

Description

Integer underflow (wrap or wraparound) in Windows Program Compatibility Assistant Service allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

In plain language

AI Act now

CVE-2026-62696 is a Windows bug that lets a local user with low-level access gain full control of the computer; if you just share PCs or allow non-admin accounts to log in, you should act quickly.

Executive summary

CVE-2026-62696 is an elevation of privilege issue in the Windows Program Compatibility Assistant Service caused by an integer underflow, enabling a local attacker with low-level privileges to gain high-level permissions; the default setup is reachable for exploitation.

If affected, business impact
Full system takeoverMalware installation with admin powerRansomware riskService disruption

What to do now

  1. Check whether the affected Windows Program Compatibility Assistant Service is running on your machines and whether any non-admin users can log in locally.
  2. Identify your exact Windows version/build number (Settings → System → About) for each affected device.
  3. Upgrade/install the Microsoft security update for CVE-2026-62696 so it reaches one of the fixed versions listed below.
  4. Reboot the machines after installation and confirm updates are fully applied.
  5. Review Windows security logs for unusual privilege changes or failed/suspicious local activity around the time of any user logons.
Patch / advisory Usually a quick update

CVSS Vector Breakdown

AV:LAC:LPR:LUI:NS:UC:HI:HA:H
Exploitability
AV:LAttack Vector
Local
AC:LAttack Complexity
Low
PR:LPrivileges Required
Low
UI:NUser Interaction
None
Scope
S:UScope
Unchanged
Impact
C:HConfidentiality
High
I:HIntegrity
High
A:HAvailability
High
Open in CVSS calculator →

Weaknesses

CWE-191

Affected Products

Microsoft
commercial·US
Windows 10 Version 1607On-premOS
Operating Systems / windows
Windows 11 version 23H2On-premOS
Operating Systems / windows
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)On-premOS
Operating Systems / windows
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)On-premOS
Operating Systems / windows
Windows Server 2022On-premOS
Operating Systems / windows
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation)On-premOS
Operating Systems / windows
and 22 more affected products View all →

Exploitability

Official Patch Available
Is your org exposed to CVE-2026-62696?We can run the check for you — a free external exposure review, no install. Check my exposure

Attack Graph

Products CVE Techniques Tactics

Click technique nodes for MITRE ATT&CK details · drag to pan · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll to zoom, or go fullscreen.

MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique
Initial Access
View detailed technique mapping

References

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-62696
msrc.microsoft.com
News mentions
4

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