Weak Authentication in Microsoft Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2026-96018
Published: November 11, 2026
Vulnerability identifier: #VU165673
CSH Severity: Low
CVSS v4: 6.8 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]
CVE-ID: CVE-2026-96018
CWE-ID: CWE-1390
Exploitation vector: Local access
Exploit availability:
No public exploit available
Vulnerability details
The vulnerability allows a local user to disclose protected encrypted credential material outside an AppContainer sandbox.
The vulnerability exists due to weak authentication in Windows AppContainer when an application running inside the sandbox accesses protected information outside it. A local user can use an application running in the sandbox to read protected encrypted credential material beyond the sandbox boundary.
Access to the encrypted credential material alone does not reveal plaintext passwords or permit decryption without additional secrets.
Affected software
Microsoft Windows
Windows Server
Windows Server
How to mitigate CVE-2026-96018
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
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