NULL pointer dereference in Microsoft Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2026-116697

Vulnerability identifier: #VU164973

CSH Severity: Medium

CVSS v4: 8.2 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]

CVE-ID: CVE-2026-116697

CWE-ID: CWE-476

Exploitation vector: Remote access

Exploit availability: No public exploit available

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service.

The vulnerability exists due to a null pointer dereference in the Reliable Multicast Transport Driver (RMCAST) when processing network traffic. A remote attacker can send specially crafted network traffic to trigger the null pointer dereference and cause a denial of service.

Microsoft Windows
Windows Server

Install security update from vendor's website.

Microsoft Windows - addressed in versions 10 21H2 10.0.19044.7846, 10 22H2 10.0.19045.7846, 10 1607 10.0.14393.9688, 10 1809 10.0.17763.9487, 11 23H2 10.0.22631.7711, 11 24H2 10.0.26100.9911, 11 24H2 10.0.26100.9974, 11 25H2 10.0.26200.9911, 11 25H2 10.0.26200.9974, 11 26H1 10.0.28000.3501
Windows Server - addressed in versions 2016 10.0.14393.9688, 2019 10.0.17763.9487, 2022 10.0.20348.5870, 2025 10.0.26100.33730, 2025 10.0.26100.33822

• https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2026-116697
• https://support.microsoft.com/help/5131291

• Multiple vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows