# CVE-2026-96223: Microsoft Windows Hyper-V use-after-free privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96223-use-after-free-in-windows-hyper-v-allows-an-authorized-attacker  
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-2026-96223 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-10-13

Windows Hyper-V is a virtualization platform that runs virtual machines on servers and workstations. A use-after-free vulnerability allows an authorized local attacker to escalate privileges and gain elevated system access, potentially compromising the host system and all virtual machines running on it.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Hyper-V](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-hyper-v), [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 2025](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2025). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-96223 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96223 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-96223?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 13 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Hyper-V.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96223?** 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-2026-96223 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-96223?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Hyper-V, Microsoft Windows 11 24h2, Microsoft Windows 11 25h2 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 use-after-free vulnerability in Windows Hyper-V allows an authenticated local attacker to escalate privileges. The vulnerability requires local access and existing authorization, making it a post-compromise escalation vector. Successful exploitation grants the attacker elevated system privileges on the host system.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Hyper-V

## Timeline

- 2026-10-13: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96223](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96223)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows Hyper-V null pointer dereference DoS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96965-null-pointer-dereference-in-windows-hyper-v-allows-an-authorized)
- [Microsoft Windows Hyper-V certificate validation bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-95910-improper-certificate-validation-in-windows-hyper-v-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Windows Hyper-V uninitialized resource privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-119960-use-of-uninitialized-resource-in-windows-hyper-v-allows-an)
- [Windows Hyper-V access control spoofing vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-119959-improper-access-control-in-windows-hyper-v-allows-an-authorized)
- [Windows Hyper-V use-after-free privilege elevation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-119826-use-after-free-in-windows-hyper-v-allows-an-authorized-attacker)