CVE-2025-60710
CVE-2025-60710 is a security flaw in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft’s operating system for PCs and servers. Someone who already has a foothold can use Microsoft Windows to take full control of the machine. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 13 Apr 2026, and says ransomware gangs have used it.[1]
Microsoft Windows is in things households have, such as phones, computers, browsers and everyday apps, so the fix matters at home as much as at work. Fixed in version 10.0.26100.7462 and 10.0.26200.7462.
Description
CISA calls it a link following in Microsoft Windows. In its words: “Microsoft Windows contains a link following vulnerability that allows for privilege escalation”[1]
The CVE record adds: “Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Host Process for Windows Tasks allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.”[2]
The underlying weakness is CWE-59, in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, scored by the organisation that published the CVE using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record lists these fixed versions: in each line, everything before the version shown is affected.[2]
| Product | Fixed in |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 Version 24H2 | 10.0.26100.7462 |
| Windows 11 Version 25H2 | 10.0.26200.7462 |
| Windows Server 2025 | 10.0.26100.7462 |
| Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) | 10.0.26100.7462 |
Every device with Microsoft Windows needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 13 Apr 2026, 153 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 27 Apr 2026 to fix it.[1] CISA says ransomware gangs have used it.
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 5%. That’s in the top 9% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
Microsoft has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s required action: “Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.”[1]
- Update Microsoft Windows now.On Windows: Settings, Windows Update, Check for updates, then restart. Office updates come the same way, or from any Office app: File, Account, Update Options. Then turn on automatic updates, so the next fix arrives on its own.
- Check you’re on 10.0.26100.7462 or later.Fixed in version 10.0.26100.7462 and 10.0.26200.7462. Anything older is what attackers are going after.
- If there’s no update, stop using it.CISA’s advice when a flaw being used in attacks has no fix is to stop using the product until it does.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 7.8.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks, noting that ransomware gangs have used it.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 5%.[4] |
See also
Other Microsoft Windows flaws
- CVE-2026-96951: command injection ·
- CVE-2026-85880: heap-based buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2026-81963: link following ·
- CVE-2008-4250: buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2026-32202: protection mechanism failure ·
- CVE-2023-36424: out-of-bounds read ·
Similar flaws
- CVE-2015-5287, Red Hat Automatic Bug Reporting Tool: privilege escalation ·
- CVE-2025-48384, Git: link following ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2026-34621, Adobe Acrobat and Reader: prototype pollution ·
- CVE-2026-21643, Fortinet FortiClient EMS: SQL injection ·
- CVE-2023-36424, Microsoft Windows: out-of-bounds read ·
- CVE-2023-21529, Microsoft Exchange Server: deserialization of untrusted data ·
- CVE-2020-9715, Adobe Acrobat: use-after-free ·
Every Microsoft flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in April 2026
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Microsoft Windows Link Following Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 13 Apr 2026.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2025-60710 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 11 Nov 2025.
- ^ Microsoft. Advisories and fixes: msrc.microsoft.com, vicarius.io.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.046, percentile 91.7, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2025-60710”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.