Out-of-bounds write in Microsoft Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2026-96981

Vulnerability identifier: #VU165786

CSH Severity: Medium

CVSS v4: 5.4 [CVSS:4.0/AV:P/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]

CVE-ID: CVE-2026-96981

CWE-ID: CWE-787

Exploitation vector: Local access

Exploit availability: No public exploit available

The vulnerability allows an attacker with physical access to system to escalate privileges to SYSTEM.

The vulnerability exists due to an out-of-bounds write in Windows PCI Bus Driver when the driver is targeted through physical access to the system. An attacker with physical access to system can trigger a write outside the intended memory boundaries to gain SYSTEM privileges.

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-2026-96981

• Multiple vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows