PatchTheCVECVE-2026-96931: Untrusted pointer dereference in Windows NTFS allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
39
Routine
HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE
CVE-2026-96931 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting windows 10 1607, windows 10 1809, windows 10 21h2. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
Untrusted pointer dereference in Windows NTFS allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Why this priority
- High severity
- On your watchlist
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 7.8 (High) |
| Attack vector | Local |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | Low |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 0.4% (top 71%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-822 |
| 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 10 21h2 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.19044.7807
Fixed in: 10.0.19044.7807
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 22h2 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.19045.7807
Fixed in: 10.0.19045.7807
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 23h2 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.22631.7652
Fixed in: 10.0.22631.7652
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: < 10.0.26100.9711
Fixed in: 10.0.26100.9711
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.
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-2026-96931?
windows 10 1607: upgrade to 10.0.14393.9612; windows 10 1809: upgrade to 10.0.17763.9376; windows 10 21h2: upgrade to 10.0.19044.7807. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2026-96931 being exploited?
CVE-2026-96931 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-2026-96931 affect?
CVE-2026-96931 affects windows 10 1607, windows 10 1809, windows 10 21h2. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Untrusted pointer dereference in Windows NTFS allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
How urgent is CVE-2026-96931?
Priority 39/100. High severity; On your watchlist
Software pages
Related CVEs
- CVE-2026-69970 HIGH 7.0 UPGRADE UPGRADE Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Streaming Service allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges
- CVE-2026-69976 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE Use after free in Remote Desktop Client allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
- CVE-2026-69977 HIGH 7.0 UPGRADE UPGRADE Use after free in Quality Windows Audio/Video Experience (QWAVE) service allows an authorized attacker to elev
- CVE-2026-69982 MEDIUM 5.9 UPGRADE UPGRADE Weak authentication in Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass
- CVE-2026-69984 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE Use after free in Remote Desktop Client allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.