# CVE-2026-72980: Microsoft Windows Hello security feature bypass via uncontrolled search path

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-72980-microsoft-windows-hello-security-feature-bypass-via-uncontrolled  
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-2026-72980 · Severity: medium · CVSS 4.4 · Published 2026-09-08

Windows Hello is Microsoft's biometric authentication system used to secure user access to Windows devices. An authorized attacker could manipulate the search path used by Windows Hello to bypass security protections, potentially allowing them to gain elevated privileges or circumvent authentication controls on a local system.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Hello](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-hello). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-72980 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-72980 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-72980?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 4.4, published 8 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Hello.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-72980?** 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-2026-72980 attacked?** It is attacked with local access.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-72980?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Hello. 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

This vulnerability is a path traversal or uncontrolled search path element flaw in Windows Hello that allows an authorized local attacker to bypass a security feature. The vulnerability requires local access and authorization to exploit; it does not allow remote exploitation. By manipulating the search path, an attacker can redirect Windows Hello to load unintended code or skip security checks. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue by validating and restricting the search path used by the Windows Hello service.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Hello

## Timeline

- 2026-09-08: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72980](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72980)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows Hello certificate validation bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83926-improper-certificate-validation-in-windows-hello-allows-an)
- [Windows Hello use after free privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83853-use-after-free-in-windows-hello-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)
- [Microsoft Windows Hello out-of-bounds read](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83849-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-hello-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Microsoft Windows Hello heap buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81354-microsoft-windows-hello-heap-buffer-overflow)
- [Microsoft Windows Hello use-after-free privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-69864-microsoft-windows-hello-use-after-free-privilege-escalation)