# CVE-2026-96985: Windows DNS out-of-bounds read information disclosure

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96985-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized-attacker  
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-2026-96985 · Severity: medium · CVSS 4.9 · Published 2026-11-10

Windows DNS, a core component of Windows Server and client operating systems that resolves domain names to IP addresses, contains an out-of-bounds read vulnerability. An authorized attacker with network access could exploit this to disclose sensitive information from the DNS server's memory. This could lead to exposure of configuration data, cached DNS responses, or other sensitive system information.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-96985 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96985 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-96985?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 4.9, published 10 November 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96985?** 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-2026-96985 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-96985?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows DNS. 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 exists in Windows DNS that allows an authenticated attacker to read memory beyond intended bounds via a network request. The vulnerability requires authorization to trigger, limiting the attack surface. Successful exploitation could leak sensitive information from the DNS server process memory.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows DNS

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96985](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96985)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows DNS out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96988-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Windows DNS out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96987-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Windows DNS out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96986-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Windows DNS out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96980-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Windows DNS out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96976-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized-attacker)