Release of invalid pointer or reference in Microsoft Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2026-96993

Vulnerability identifier: #VU165796

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-2026-96993

CWE-ID: CWE-763

Exploitation vector: Remote access

Exploit availability: No public exploit available

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on an affected system.

The vulnerability exists due to release of an invalid pointer or reference in Windows Performance Monitor when handling network-supplied input. A remote attacker can supply crafted input that triggers an invalid release, with user interaction required, to execute arbitrary code.

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-2026-96993

• Multiple vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows