# CVE-2026-69612: Microsoft Windows Error Reporting absolute path traversal privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-69612-microsoft-windows-error-reporting-absolute-path-traversal  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-08. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-69612 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-09-08

Windows Error Reporting is a system service that collects and reports crash and error data to Microsoft. A path traversal vulnerability in this service allows an authorized local user to write files to arbitrary locations on the system, potentially leading to privilege escalation and complete system compromise.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Error Reporting](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-error-reporting). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-69612 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-69612 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-69612?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 8 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Error Reporting <UNKNOWN>.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-69612?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-69612 attacked?** It is attacked with local access.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-69612?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Error Reporting at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The vulnerability is an absolute path traversal flaw in the Windows Error Reporting component that allows an authenticated local attacker to bypass directory restrictions and write files to arbitrary filesystem locations. The attack requires local access and authentication privileges. By exploiting this path traversal, an attacker can overwrite system files or plant malicious files in locations that execute with higher privileges, achieving local privilege escalation. A patch from Microsoft should be available through Windows Update.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Error Reporting <UNKNOWN>

## Timeline

- 2026-09-08: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-69612](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-69612)

## Related threats

- [Windows Error Reporting privilege escalation in file handling](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-94525-an-elevation-of-privilege-vulnerability-exists-in-windows-error)
- [Windows Error Reporting double free privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85862-double-free-in-windows-error-reporting-allows-an-authorized)
- [Windows Error Reporting use-after-free privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85354-use-after-free-in-windows-error-reporting-allows-an-authorized)
- [Windows Error Reporting weak authentication privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83840-weak-authentication-in-windows-error-reporting-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Windows Error Reporting out-of-bounds read](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83747-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-error-reporting-allows-an)