Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2026-96081
Published: November 11, 2026
Vulnerability identifier: #VU165727
CSH Severity: Medium
CVSS v4: 7.1 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]
CVE-ID: CVE-2026-96081
CWE-ID: CWE-122
Exploitation vector: Remote access
Exploit availability:
No public exploit available
Vulnerability details
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on an affected system.
The vulnerability exists due to a heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Rich Text Edit Control when processing a specially crafted file. A remote attacker can trick a user into opening the file to execute arbitrary code.
Successful exploitation requires an affected application to load and display embedded document content in a particular sequence that cannot be forced in every application.
Affected software
Microsoft Windows
Windows Server
Windows Server
How to mitigate CVE-2026-96081
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