CVE-2026-32202
Microsoft Windows Protection Mechanism Failure Vulnerability
Microsoft Windows
Protection mechanism failure in Windows Shell allows an unauthorized attacker to perform spoofing over a network.
Exploitation status
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
Listed by CISA on 28 April 2026. US federal agencies were required to remediate it by 12 May 2026.
EPSS — exploitation probability
FIRST puts the probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days at 63.7%, which is higher than 99.1% of all scored vulnerabilities. EPSS is a forecast of activity, not a measure of severity, and it is rescored daily.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
Frequently asked questions
Is CVE-2026-32202 being exploited by ransomware groups?
No ransomware group in this database is currently recorded as exploiting CVE-2026-32202.
What does CVE-2026-32202 affect?
CVE-2026-32202 affects Microsoft Windows. Protection mechanism failure in Windows Shell allows an unauthorized attacker to perform spoofing over a network.
How severe is CVE-2026-32202?
CVE-2026-32202 is rated MEDIUM with a CVSS base score of 4.3. EPSS puts the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days at 63.7%, higher than 99.1% of all scored vulnerabilities. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, with a federal remediation deadline of 12 May 2026.
How should organisations respond to CVE-2026-32202?
Apply the vendor patch for Microsoft Windows as the first priority, and treat any internet-facing instance as the most urgent. Because this vulnerability is associated with ransomware activity, also review whether the affected systems were reachable before patching, rather than assuming that patching alone closes the incident.