# CVE-2026-96993: Windows Performance Monitor invalid pointer release remote code execution

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96993-release-of-invalid-pointer-or-reference-in-windows-performance  
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-2026-96993 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-11-10

Windows Performance Monitor is a system utility that monitors application and system performance metrics. A flaw in the tool allows an attacker to trigger a use-after-free condition that leads to remote code execution with no authentication required, potentially giving an attacker full control of an affected system.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-96993 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96993 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-96993?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 10 November 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96993?** 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-2026-96993 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-96993?** 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 use-after-free vulnerability in Windows Performance Monitor's pointer handling allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code by sending specially crafted network traffic to trigger the invalid pointer dereference. The vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction and can be exploited over the network to achieve remote code execution.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96993](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96993)

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