# CVE-2026-96008: Windows Installer use-after-free privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96008-use-after-free-in-windows-installer-allows-an-authorized-attacker  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-11-10. Updated: 2026-11-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-96008 · Severity: high · CVSS 7 · Published 2026-11-10

Windows Installer, the built-in Windows component for installing and managing software, contains a use-after-free memory vulnerability that allows an authorized local user to escalate their privileges to administrator level. An attacker with existing local access can exploit this flaw to gain complete control over the system and access sensitive data.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-96008 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96008 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-96008?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7, published 10 November 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Installer.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96008?** 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-2026-96008 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-96008?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Installer. 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

A use-after-free vulnerability in Windows Installer permits privilege escalation via local attack vector. An authorized attacker with existing local access can exploit freed memory to execute code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability requires prior authentication but no additional user interaction.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Installer

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96008](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96008)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows Installer stack-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96152-stack-based-buffer-overflow-in-windows-installer-allows-an)
- [Windows Installer heap-based buffer overflow allows privilege elevation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96085-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-windows-installer-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Windows Installer heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96062-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-windows-installer-allows-an)
- [Windows Installer use-after-free privilege elevation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96061-use-after-free-in-windows-installer-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Windows Installer out-of-bounds read privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96060-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-installer-allows-an-authorized)