# CVE-2026-96983: Windows DNS use-after-free denial of service

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96983-use-after-free-in-windows-dns-allows-an-unauthorized-attacker-to  
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-2026-96983 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.3 · Published 2026-11-10

Windows DNS, which resolves domain names for computers on a network, contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows an attacker on the same network segment to crash the DNS service and disrupt name resolution. An attacker with adjacent network access can remotely trigger the vulnerability, causing denial of service but not data theft or system compromise.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-96983 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96983 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-96983?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.3, published 10 November 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows <UNKNOWN>.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96983?** 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-2026-96983 attacked?** It is attacked from the adjacent network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-96983?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows 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

A use-after-free flaw in Windows DNS allows an unauthenticated attacker on the adjacent network to send a crafted packet that triggers memory corruption and service termination. The vulnerability requires adjacent network access (not internet-routable) and results in denial of service via DNS service crash. Microsoft has released patches to address the flaw.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows <UNKNOWN>

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96983](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96983)

## Related threats

- [Windows BitLocker heap buffer overflow with physical attack](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97015-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-windows-bitlocker-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Windows Shell type confusion privilege elevation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97013-access-of-resource-using-incompatible-type-type-confusion-in)
- [Microsoft Windows VMSwitch out-of-bounds read privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97002-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-vmswitch-allows-an-authorized)
- [Microsoft Windows USM Communication Manager null pointer dereference](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97000-null-pointer-dereference-in-windows-usm-communication-manager)
- [Microsoft Windows Winsock use after free privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96994-use-after-free-in-winsock-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)