# CVE-2026-96981: Windows PCI Bus Driver out-of-bounds write privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96981-out-of-bounds-write-in-windows-pci-bus-driver-allows-an  
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-2026-96981 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.4 · Published 2026-11-10

The Windows PCI Bus Driver contains an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that allows an attacker with physical access to a computer to escalate their privileges. An attacker could exploit this to gain administrative control of the system, potentially accessing sensitive data or installing malware.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-96981 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96981 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-96981?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.4, published 10 November 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96981?** 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-2026-96981 attacked?** It is attacked with physical access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-96981?** 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

An out-of-bounds write flaw in the Windows PCI Bus Driver permits privilege escalation through a physical attack vector. The vulnerability requires local physical access to the system to exploit; successful exploitation grants elevated privileges on the affected Windows machine.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96981](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96981)

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