# CVE-2026-96028: Microsoft Windows Installer type confusion privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96028-access-of-resource-using-incompatible-type-type-confusion-in  
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-2026-96028 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-11-10

Windows Installer, which handles software installation on Windows systems, contains a type confusion vulnerability that allows an authorized local attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This could lead to complete system compromise and the ability to install malware or ransomware that persists across reboots.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-96028 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96028 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-96028?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 10 November 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96028?** 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-2026-96028 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-96028?** 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 type confusion flaw in Windows Installer allows an authenticated local attacker to escalate privileges by providing malformed input that causes the installer to mishandle data types. The attacker must already have local access to the system, and exploitation results in arbitrary code execution with SYSTEM-level privileges. A fix has been released by Microsoft.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Installer

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96028](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96028)

## 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)