CVE-2026-45585
Microsoft is aware of a security feature bypass vulnerability in Windows publicly referred to as "YellowKey".
Does this matter?
Lower severity and a low EPSS score (1.35%). Track it; it rarely justifies an emergency change on its own.
Description
Microsoft is aware of a security feature bypass vulnerability in Windows publicly referred to as "YellowKey". The proof of concept for this vulnerability has been made public violating coordinated vulnerability best practices. We are issuing this CVE to provide mitigation guidance that can be implemented to protect against this vulnerability until the security update is made available. Mitigation FAQs Should I leverage the temporary mitigation? Microsoft recommends that you consider implementing these mitigations if you are concerned your devices and data are at risk of being compromised or stolen. For example, if your organization’s employees take their work devices home or on business travel. What impact to service availability/management could be caused by implementing the mitigations? Implementing these mitigations will not impact service availability or management operations. Do customers need to revert the changes made to mitigate the vulnerability once the security update to protect against this vulnerability is available? No. The security update will maintain the mitigation's behavior once the security update is installed. I am using TPM+PIN, am I at risk of this vulnerability being exploited No, if you are using TPM+PIN the vulnerability is not exploitable.
- CVSS 3.1
- 6.8 MEDIUMCVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- EPSS
- 1.35% probability · 70th percentile
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-77
- Affected
- microsoft/windows 11 24h2 · microsoft/windows 11 25h2 · microsoft/windows 11 26h1 · microsoft/windows server 2025
- Source
- secure@microsoft.com
References
- https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-45585Mitigation, Vendor Advisory
- https://github.com/Nightmare-Eclipse/YellowKeyExploit, Third Party Advisory
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA. Refreshed daily.