# CVE-2026-96246: Microsoft Network Policy Server out-of-bounds read

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96246-out-of-bounds-read-in-network-policy-server-nps-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-2026-96246 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-10-13

Microsoft Network Policy Server (NPS) is a Windows component that authenticates and authorizes users on networks. An out-of-bounds read vulnerability allows an attacker to access sensitive information over the network. This could lead to exposure of authentication credentials, configuration details, or other confidential data stored in memory.

Technologies: [Microsoft Network Policy Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/network-policy-server). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-96246 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96246 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-96246?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 13 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Network Policy Server.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96246?** 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-2026-96246 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a hosted service.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-96246?** Check whether you run Microsoft Network Policy Server. 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

An out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Network Policy Server (NPS) allows an unauthenticated network attacker to read memory beyond allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, potentially exposing sensitive authentication tokens, user information, or other data in process memory.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Network Policy Server

## Timeline

- 2026-10-13: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96246](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96246)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Network Policy Server use-after-free remote code execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85811-use-after-free-in-network-policy-server-nps-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Network Policy Server integer underflow remote code execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85806-integer-underflow-wrap-or-wraparound-in-network-policy-server-nps)
- [Microsoft Network Policy Server use-after-free remote code execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85799-use-after-free-in-network-policy-server-nps-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Network Policy Server use-after-free RCE](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85371-use-after-free-in-network-policy-server-nps-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Network Policy Server out-of-bounds read denial of service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83655-out-of-bounds-read-in-network-policy-server-nps-allows-an)