# CVE-2026-96176: Windows DNS memory leak allows denial of service

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96176-missing-release-of-memory-after-effective-lifetime-in-windows-dns  
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-2026-96176 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-11-10

Windows DNS, a core service that translates domain names to IP addresses, contains a memory leak vulnerability that allows attackers to exhaust system memory and cause service outages. An attacker can trigger the leak remotely over the network without authentication, potentially disrupting DNS resolution for an entire organization.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-96176 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96176 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-96176?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 10 November 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96176?** 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-2026-96176 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-96176?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows DNS. 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 memory release defect in Windows DNS fails to free allocated memory after its effective lifetime, allowing memory exhaustion. The vulnerability is reachable over the network without prior authentication, enabling remote denial of service. An attacker can repeatedly trigger the leak condition to consume memory until the DNS service crashes.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows DNS

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96176](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96176)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows DNS out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96988-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Windows DNS out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96987-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Windows DNS out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96986-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Windows DNS out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96985-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Windows DNS out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96980-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized-attacker)