CVE-2026-96939: Time-of-check time-of-use (toctou) race condition in Servicing Stack Updates allows an authorized attacker to
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Routine
HIGH 7.0WATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE
CVE-2026-96939 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.0) 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.
Time-of-check time-of-use (toctou) race condition in Servicing Stack Updates allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
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 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.
microsoft windows 11 25h2 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.26200.9711
Fixed in: 10.0.26200.9711
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.
microsoft windows 11 26h1 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.28000.3231
Fixed in: 10.0.28000.3231
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 26h2 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.26300.9711
Fixed in: 10.0.26300.9711
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.
microsoft windows server 2025 UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.0.26100.33650
Fixed in: 10.0.26100.33650
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 sourceNVD · 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.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2026-96939?
windows 11 23h2: upgrade to 10.0.22631.7652; windows 11 24h2: upgrade to 10.0.26100.9711; windows 11 25h2: upgrade to 10.0.26200.9711. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2026-96939 being exploited?
CVE-2026-96939 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-2026-96939 affect?
CVE-2026-96939 affects windows 11 23h2, windows 11 24h2, windows 11 25h2. Severity is high (CVSS 7.0). Time-of-check time-of-use (toctou) race condition in Servicing Stack Updates allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
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