# CVE-2026-87697: .NET WPF XPS synthetic hyperlinks remote code execution

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-87697-microsoft-security-advisory-net-and-visual-studio-remote-code  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-13. Updated: 2026-10-13  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-87697 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.8 · Published 2026-10-13

A vulnerability in .NET's Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) allows attackers to bypass navigation security checks through synthetic hyperlinks exposed via UI Automation, potentially enabling remote code execution when a user interacts with a malicious XPS document or application. This affects Windows desktop applications built with vulnerable .NET versions and can lead to full system compromise.

Technologies: [Microsoft .Net](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/microsoft-net), [Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime.win-arm64 (NuGet)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/microsoft-windowsdesktop-app-runtime-win-arm64), [Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime.win-x64 (NuGet)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/microsoft-windowsdesktop-app-runtime-win-x64), [Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime.win-x86 (NuGet)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/microsoft-windowsdesktop-app-runtime-win-x86). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft), [NuGet](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/nuget).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-87697 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-87697 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-87697?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 13 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft .Net 8.0.0–8.0.31, 9.0.0–9.0.20, 10.0.0–10.0.12, 11.0.0-preview.1–11.0.0-rc.1; Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime.win-arm64 (NuGet) >= 9.0.0, <= 9.0.20, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=9.0.0,fixed=9.0.21; Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime.win-x64 (NuGet) >= 9.0.0, <= 9.0.20, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=9.0.0,fixed=9.0.21; Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime.win-x86 (NuGet) >= 9.0.0, <= 9.0.20, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=9.0.0,fixed=9.0.21.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-87697?** Yes. Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime.win-arm64 (NuGet): upgrade to 9.0.21 or later; Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime.win-x64 (NuGet): upgrade to 9.0.21 or later; Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime.win-x86 (NuGet): upgrade to 9.0.21 or later. Until then: Update to the patched .NET runtime version via Visual Studio or manual package update. Self-contained applications targeting affected versions must be recompiled and redeployed with the patched runtime. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-87697 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-87697?** Check whether you run Microsoft .Net, Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime.win-arm64 (NuGet), Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime.win-x64 (NuGet) or one of the others listed 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.

## How to fix

- Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime.win-arm64 (NuGet): upgrade to 9.0.21 or later

  ```sh
  dotnet add package Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime.win-arm64 --version 9.0.21
  ```

- Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime.win-x64 (NuGet): upgrade to 9.0.21 or later

  ```sh
  dotnet add package Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime.win-x64 --version 9.0.21
  ```

- Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime.win-x86 (NuGet): upgrade to 9.0.21 or later

  ```sh
  dotnet add package Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime.win-x86 --version 9.0.21
  ```


Update to the patched .NET runtime version via Visual Studio or manual package update. Self-contained applications targeting affected versions must be recompiled and redeployed with the patched runtime.

## Technical details

The vulnerability exists in Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App.Runtime (WPF) where XPS synthetic hyperlinks are exposed through UI Automation, allowing attackers to circumvent restrictive navigation checks and reach attacker-controlled content. The attack requires user interaction and network access to deliver the malicious payload. A patch is available in fixed versions 9.0.21, 8.0.32, 10.0.13, and 11.0.0-rc.2.

## Affected products

- Microsoft .NET 8.0.0–8.0.31, 9.0.0–9.0.20, 10.0.0–10.0.12, 11.0.0-preview.1–11.0.0-rc.1

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-87697
- GHSA-c27m-942f-rcfh

## Timeline

- 2026-10-13: disclosed

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