# CVE-2026-73004: Microsoft Windows Autopilot missing authentication in critical function

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-73004-microsoft-windows-autopilot-missing-authentication-in-critical  
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-2026-73004 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.5 · Published 2026-09-08

Windows Autopilot is a cloud-based system that allows organizations to configure and enroll new Windows devices with minimal IT effort. A missing authentication check in a critical Autopilot function allows an authorized local user to tamper with device configuration or enrollment settings, potentially compromising the security posture of managed devices during deployment.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-73004 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-73004 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-73004?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.5, published 8 September 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-73004?** 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-2026-73004 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a hosted service.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-73004?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Autopilot 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 authentication bypass in a critical function within Windows Autopilot that permits an authorized local attacker to perform tampering operations without proper credential verification. The attack requires local access to the affected system and can only be exploited by an authenticated user with sufficient privileges. An attacker exploiting this flaw could modify sensitive device configuration, compromise enrollment integrity, or interfere with policy application during the Autopilot deployment process. No evidence of active exploitation in the wild has been reported at the time of publication.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Autopilot <UNKNOWN>

## Timeline

- 2026-09-08: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-73004](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-73004)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows Autopilot use after free privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-122175-use-after-free-in-windows-autopilot-allows-an-authorized)
- [Microsoft Windows Autopilot race condition privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96215-concurrent-execution-using-shared-resource-with-improper)
- [Microsoft Windows Autopilot use-after-free privilege elevation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-108134-use-after-free-in-windows-autopilot-allows-an-authorized)
- [Microsoft Windows Autopilot use-after-free privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-65783-microsoft-windows-autopilot-use-after-free-privilege-escalation)
- [Microsoft Windows Autopilot use-after-free privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-65782-microsoft-windows-autopilot-use-after-free-privilege-escalation)