CVE-2026-96969: Microsoft Windows TCP/IP double free privilege escalation

CVE-2026-96969 · Severity: high · CVSS 7 · Published 2026-11-10

A flaw in Windows' TCP/IP network stack allows a local user with existing system access to gain elevated administrative privileges through a double-free memory corruption vulnerability. This could enable an attacker to take complete control of an affected system.

Technologies: Microsoft Windows. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-96969 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96969 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-96969?
High severity, with a CVSS score of 7, published 10 November 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96969?
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-2026-96969 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-96969?
Check whether you run Microsoft Windows. 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 double-free vulnerability exists in the Windows TCP/IP stack that can be triggered by a local authenticated attacker. The flaw allows memory corruption leading to privilege escalation from a restricted user context to SYSTEM-level access, requiring prior system access but no network interaction.

Affected products

  • Microsoft Windows

Timeline

  • 2026-11-10: disclosed

References

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