# CVE-2026-96096: Windows Media Player heap-based buffer overflow

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96096-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-windows-media-player-allows-an  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-13. Updated: 2026-10-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-96096 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-10-13

Windows Media Player, used for playing audio and video files, contains a heap buffer overflow vulnerability that allows an attacker to execute malicious code on a user's computer over the network. An exploited system could be compromised for data theft, malware installation, or complete system takeover without the user's knowledge or interaction.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Media Player](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-media-player), [Microsoft Windows 10 1607](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10-1607), [Microsoft Windows 10 1809](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10-1809), [Microsoft Windows 10 21h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10-21h2), [Microsoft Windows 10 22h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10-22h2), [Microsoft Windows 11 23h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-23h2), [Microsoft Windows 11 24h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-24h2), [Microsoft Windows 11 25h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-25h2), [Microsoft Windows 11 26h1](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-26h1), [Microsoft Windows 11 26h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-26h2), [Microsoft Windows Server 2012](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2012), [Microsoft Windows Server 2016](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2016), [Microsoft Windows Server 2019](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2019), [Microsoft Windows Server 2022](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2022), [Microsoft Windows Server 2025](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2025). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-96096 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96096 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-96096?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 13 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Media Player.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96096?** 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-2026-96096 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-96096?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Media Player, Microsoft Windows 10 1607, Microsoft Windows 10 1809 or one of the others listed. 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 heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Media Player can be triggered over the network, potentially without authentication or user interaction required. The vulnerability allows arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the application. The attack vector is network-based, making it remotely exploitable.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Media Player

## Timeline

- 2026-10-13: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96096](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96096)

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