Command injection in Microsoft Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2026-96951
Published: October 13, 2026
Vulnerability identifier: #VU154227
CSH Severity: Critical
CVSS v4: 8.4 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]
CVE-ID: CVE-2026-96951
CWE-ID: CWE-77
Exploitation vector: Remote access
Exploit availability:
The vulnerability is being exploited in the wild
Vulnerability details
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to bypass Mark of the Web (MOTW) defenses.
The vulnerability exists due to improper neutralization of special elements used in a command in Windows Shell when handling specially crafted files. A remote attacker can send a specially crafted file through email or instant messaging to bypass Mark of the Web (MOTW) defenses.
Exploitation requires convincing the targeted user to interact with attacker-controlled content; the user cannot be forced to view it.
Note, the vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild.
Affected software
Microsoft Windows
Windows Server
Windows Server
How to mitigate CVE-2026-96951
Install security update from vendor's website.
Microsoft Windows - addressed in versions 10 21H2 10.0.19044.7807, 10 1607 10.0.14393.9612, 10 1809 10.0.17763.9376, 11 23H2 10.0.22631.7652, 11 24H2 10.0.26100.9711, 11 25H2 10.0.26200.9711, 11 26H1 10.0.28000.3231
Windows Server - addressed in versions 2012 R2 6.3.9600.23470, 2016 10.0.14393.9612, 2019 10.0.17763.9376, 2022 10.0.20348.5761, 2025 10.0.26100.33650
Windows Server - addressed in versions 2012 R2 6.3.9600.23470, 2016 10.0.14393.9612, 2019 10.0.17763.9376, 2022 10.0.20348.5761, 2025 10.0.26100.33650