PatchTheCVECVE-2026-41096: Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Windows DNS allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a net
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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE
CVE-2026-41096 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting windows 11 23h2, windows 11 24h2, windows 11 25h2. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Windows DNS allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
Why this priority
- Critical severity
- Public exploit reference
- CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
- Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
- On your watchlist
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 9.8 (Critical) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 2.7% (top 14%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-122 |
| Published | 2026-05-12 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-17 |
Publisher (CNA): Microsoft Corporation · Vendor: microsoft
Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
microsoft windows 11 23h2 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.22631.7079
Fixed in: 10.0.22631.7079
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
microsoft windows 11 24h2 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.26100.8390
Fixed in: 10.0.26100.8390
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
microsoft windows 11 25h2 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.26200.8390
Fixed in: 10.0.26200.8390
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
microsoft windows 11 26h1 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.28000.2113
Fixed in: 10.0.28000.2113
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
microsoft windows server 2022 23h2 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.25398.2330
Fixed in: 10.0.25398.2330
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
microsoft windows server 2025 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.26100.32772
Fixed in: 10.0.26100.32772
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
Exact fixes by distribution
Fedora 46 · proftpd · FIXED · 1.3.9e-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-fc0d87d66e · source
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-fc0d87d66e
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) · KB5087539 · FIXED · 10.0.26100.32860 · KB5087539 · source
Install KB5087539 via Windows Update, then verify:
Get-HotFix -Id KB5087539
Install KB5087539 via Windows Update, then verify:
Get-HotFix -Id KB5087539
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) · KB5087423 · FIXED · 10.0.26100.32772 · KB5087423 · source
Install KB5087423 via Windows Update, then verify:
Get-HotFix -Id KB5087423
Install KB5087423 via Windows Update, then verify:
Get-HotFix -Id KB5087423
Windows 11 Version 25H2 for ARM64-based Systems · KB5089549 · FIXED · 10.0.26200.8457 · KB5089549 · source
Install KB5089549 via Windows Update, then verify:
Get-HotFix -Id KB5089549
Public exploits and detection
Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.
- GitHub PoC: ZeroDayEvil/CVE-2026-41096-PoC (96 stars)
- GitHub PoC: satchfunky/CVE-2026-41096-POC (39 stars)
- GitHub PoC: TwoSevenOneT/CVE-2026-41096-Attack-Surface (15 stars)
Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2026-41096?
windows 11 23h2: upgrade to 10.0.22631.7079; windows 11 24h2: upgrade to 10.0.26100.8390; windows 11 25h2: upgrade to 10.0.26200.8390. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2026-41096 being exploited?
CVE-2026-41096 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.
What does CVE-2026-41096 affect?
CVE-2026-41096 affects windows 11 23h2, windows 11 24h2, windows 11 25h2. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Windows DNS allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
How urgent is CVE-2026-41096?
Priority 74/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist
Software pages
Windows vulnerabilities · Windows Server vulnerabilities
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