PatchTheCVECVE-2026-96320: Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows DHCP Server allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a netwo
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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEMITIGATE
CVE-2026-96320 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting windows 10 1607, windows 10 1809, windows server 2012. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows DHCP Server allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
Why this priority
- Critical severity
- 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 | 1.1% (top 36%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-122 |
| Published | 2026-10-13 |
| Last modified | 2026-10-16 |
Publisher (CNA): Microsoft Corporation · Vendor: microsoft
Last updated 2026-10-16 · 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 10 1607 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.14393.9612
Fixed in: 10.0.14393.9612
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 10 1809 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.17763.9376
Fixed in: 10.0.17763.9376
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 2012 MITIGATE
Affected: all versions · r2
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before r2
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 2016 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.14393.9612
Fixed in: 10.0.14393.9612
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 2019 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.17763.9376
Fixed in: 10.0.17763.9376
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 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.20348.5761
Fixed in: 10.0.20348.5761
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
A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.
Install KB5126835 via Windows Update, then verify:
Get-HotFix -Id KB5126835
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) · KB5126835 · FIXED · 6.2.9200.26434 · KB5126835 · source
Install KB5126835 via Windows Update, then verify:
Get-HotFix -Id KB5126835
Install KB5126836 via Windows Update, then verify:
Get-HotFix -Id KB5126836
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) · KB5126836 · FIXED · 6.3.9600.23470 · KB5126836 · source
Install KB5126836 via Windows Update, then verify:
Get-HotFix -Id KB5126836
Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems · KB5126868 · FIXED · 10.0.14393.9612 · KB5126868 · source
Install KB5126868 via Windows Update, then verify:
Get-HotFix -Id KB5126868
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-2026-96320?
windows 10 1607: upgrade to 10.0.14393.9612; windows 10 1809: upgrade to 10.0.17763.9376; windows server 2012: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2026-96320 being exploited?
CVE-2026-96320 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-2026-96320 affect?
CVE-2026-96320 affects windows 10 1607, windows 10 1809, windows server 2012. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows DHCP Server allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
How urgent is CVE-2026-96320?
Priority 63/100. Critical severity; 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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