Quick answers
- Is CVE-2026-96911 exploited in the wild?
- No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96911 being exploited in the wild.
- How severe is CVE-2026-96911?
- High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 13 October 2026.
- Which products and versions are affected?
- Microsoft Windows Search Component <UNKNOWN>.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96911?
- 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-2026-96911 attacked?
- It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
- Am I affected by CVE-2026-96911?
- Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Search Component at an affected version. 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
The vulnerability is an improper link resolution issue (CWE-59) in the Windows Search Component that fails to validate symlinks before file access operations. This allows a local authenticated attacker to manipulate symbolic links and gain elevated privileges. No network access is required; the attack requires local access and authenticated user rights.
Affected products
- Microsoft Windows Search Component <UNKNOWN>
Timeline
- 2026-10-13: disclosed