# CVE-2026-97838: Microsoft DNS Server out-of-bounds read

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97838-out-of-bounds-read-in-dns-server-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-13. Updated: 2026-10-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-97838 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.5 · Published 2026-10-13

Microsoft DNS Server, which resolves domain names for Windows networks, contains an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that allows an authorized attacker to disclose sensitive information over the network. An attacker with network access and valid credentials could exploit this flaw to leak memory contents, potentially exposing confidential data.

Technologies: [Microsoft DNS Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/microsoft-dns-server), [Microsoft Windows 10 1607](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10-1607), [Microsoft Windows 10 1809](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10-1809), [Microsoft Windows 10 21h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10-21h2), [Microsoft Windows 10 22h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10-22h2), [Microsoft Windows 11 23h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-23h2), [Microsoft Windows 11 24h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-24h2), [Microsoft Windows 11 25h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-25h2), [Microsoft Windows 11 26h1](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-26h1), [Microsoft Windows 11 26h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-26h2), [Microsoft Windows Server 2012](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2012), [Microsoft Windows Server 2016](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2016), [Microsoft Windows Server 2019](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2019), [Microsoft Windows Server 2022](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2022), [Microsoft Windows Server 2025](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2025). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-97838 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-97838 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-97838?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.5, published 13 October 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-97838?** 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-2026-97838 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a hosted service.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-97838?** Check whether you run Microsoft DNS Server, Microsoft Windows 10 1607, Microsoft Windows 10 1809 or one of the others listed. 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 in Microsoft DNS Server permits an authenticated network attacker to read memory beyond allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability requires valid authentication credentials and network access to the DNS service. A successful exploit allows information disclosure without code execution.

## Affected products

- Microsoft DNS Server

## Timeline

- 2026-10-13: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-97838](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-97838)

## Related threats

- [Windows DNS Server out-of-bounds read](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97844-out-of-bounds-read-in-dns-server-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)
- [Windows DNS Server out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97843-out-of-bounds-read-in-dns-server-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)
- [Windows DNS Server out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97842-out-of-bounds-read-in-dns-server-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)
- [Windows DNS Server out-of-bounds read](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97841-out-of-bounds-read-in-dns-server-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)
- [DNS Server out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97840-out-of-bounds-read-in-dns-server-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)