CVE-2026-68820 | defend.network

What is CVE-2026-68820?

Use after free in Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

CVSS7 NVD 3.1

SeverityHIGH

Exploitation In the wild In CISA KEV

Triage statusActive Exploit

ActionPatch immediately

CVSS vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWECWE-416

NVD published2026-08-11

NVD last modified2026-08-11

Timeline

2026-08-11Published to the U.S. National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-08-11Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog
2026-08-25CISA federal remediation deadline (BOD 22-01)

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability

Microsoft Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock Use-After-Free Vulnerability

Added to KEV2026-08-11

Federal patch deadline2026-08-25

Known ransomware useUnknown

Affected product

Microsoft Windows Ancillary Function Driver For WinSock

Remediation Steps

Apply Microsoft August 2026 Patch Tuesday updates immediately
Prioritize deployment of Windows kernel security updates across all systems
Monitor systems for signs of privilege escalation attempts
Restrict code execution from untrusted sources where possible

References

Referenced in our briefings & reports

Vulnerability Priority Report – Week 2 of August 2026 (August 10 – 16)

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🤖 This CVE page is generated by defend.network from NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS, and our verified daily briefings. Severity and exploitation data come from official sources; always verify remediation steps against the official vendor advisory before acting in production.