# CVE-2026-96061: Windows Installer use-after-free privilege elevation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96061-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-2026-96061 · Severity: high · CVSS 7 · Published 2026-11-10

Windows Installer, a core Windows system component that manages software installation and removal, contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows an authenticated local attacker to execute code with elevated privileges. An attacker with local access could exploit this to gain administrative control of the system, potentially leading to data theft, malware installation, or system compromise.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-96061 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96061 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-96061?** 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-2026-96061?** 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-2026-96061 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-96061?** 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 flaw in Windows Installer allows an authorized local attacker to elevate privileges. The vulnerability requires local network access and authentication, but yields privilege escalation on a successful exploit. A patch is expected from Microsoft through their standard security update process.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Installer

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96061](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96061)

## 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 out-of-bounds read privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96060-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-installer-allows-an-authorized)
- [Microsoft Windows Installer use-after-free privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96047-use-after-free-in-windows-installer-allows-an-authorized-attacker)