# CVE-2026-73027: Windows Setup Files Cleanup privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-73027-external-control-of-system-or-configuration-setting-in-windows  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-13. Updated: 2026-10-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-73027 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-10-13

Windows Setup Files Cleanup is a utility that manages temporary files from Windows installations. This vulnerability allows an authorized local user to escalate their privileges to a higher level through manipulation of system configuration settings, potentially gaining full administrative control of the machine.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Setup Files Cleanup](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-setup-files-cleanup). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-73027 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-73027 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-73027?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 13 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Setup Files Cleanup.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-73027?** 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-2026-73027 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-73027?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Setup Files Cleanup. 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 external control of system or configuration setting (CWE-15) in Windows Setup Files Cleanup that permits privilege escalation via local attack vector. An authorized attacker with local access can exploit this to elevate privileges; no network access or user interaction is required beyond initial authentication.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Setup Files Cleanup

## Timeline

- 2026-10-13: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-73027](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-73027)

## Related threats

- [Windows Setup Files Cleanup privilege escalation via untrusted search path](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83509-untrusted-search-path-in-windows-setup-files-cleanup-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Windows Setup Files Cleanup privilege escalation via symlink](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-69289-microsoft-windows-setup-files-cleanup-privilege-escalation-via)