CVE-2026-96951
HIGH 8.8 KNOWN EXPLOITEDImproper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('command injection') in Windows Shell allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature over a network.
Confirmed exploited in the wild — in CISA KEV since 2026-10-13. Patch or mitigate now.
Exploitation likelihood
9.8%chance of exploitation in 30 days · 96th percentile
Impact if exploited
8.8CVSS 3.1 · HIGH
- ConfidentialityHigh
- IntegrityHigh
- AvailabilityHigh
What an attacker needs
- ✓Access: Reachable over the network — no local access needed
- ✓Privileges: No account or privileges required
- ⚠User interaction: A user must take an action (click / open a file)
- ✓Complexity: No special conditions — reliably repeatable
✓ lowers the bar for an attacker · ⚠ raises it
Proof of concept
No public PoC is currently catalogued.
Search for new PoCs
Search GitHub now — results may be empty or unverified.
Tracked sources are checked daily for recent CVEs, including PoCs published after the original disclosure. A later release appears after a tracked source lists it and a refresh succeeds.
Data snapshot:
Affected
Vendors Microsoft
Products Outlook.Com Windows 10 Version 1607 Windows 10 Version 1809 Windows 10 Version 21h2 Windows 10 Version 22h2 Windows 11 Version 23h2 Windows 11 Version 24h2 Windows 11 Version 25h2 Windows 11 Version 26h1 Windows 11 Version 26h2 Windows Server 2012 R2 Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core Installation)
Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-77: : Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:F/RL:O/RC:C
References and research data (JSON)
Additional exploitation reports
Source-specific reports, separate from CISA KEV. Repeated observations from one source are not independent confirmations.
- VulnCheck KEV · 2026-10-13T00:00:00Z
Source guidance: Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
Source ransomware assessment: Unknown
VulnCheck KEV · CVE-2026-96951 · Updated 2026-10-13T00:00:00Z - VulnCheck KEV · 2026-10-13T00:00:00ZVulnCheck KEV · CVE-2026-96951
VulnCheck KEV · CVE-2026-96951
VulnCheck KEV · CVE-2026-96951
VulnCheck KEV · CVE-2026-96951
Known Affected Software Configurations
| Vendor | Product | Version range |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Outlook Web | * |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 1607 | < 10.0.14393.9612 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 1607 | < 10.0.14393.9612 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 1809 | < 10.0.17763.9376 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 1809 | < 10.0.17763.9376 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 21h2 | < 10.0.19044.7807 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 21h2 | < 10.0.19044.7807 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 21h2 | < 10.0.19044.7807 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 22h2 | < 10.0.19045.7807 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 22h2 | < 10.0.19045.7807 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 22h2 | < 10.0.19045.7807 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 23h2 | < 10.0.22631.7652 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 23h2 | < 10.0.22631.7652 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 24h2 | < 10.0.26100.9711 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 24h2 | < 10.0.26100.9711 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 25h2 | < 10.0.26200.9711 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 25h2 | < 10.0.26200.9711 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 26h1 | < 10.0.28000.3231 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 26h1 | < 10.0.28000.3231 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 26h2 | < 10.0.26300.9711 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 26h2 | < 10.0.26300.9711 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2012 | r2 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2016 | < 10.0.14393.9612 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2019 | < 10.0.17763.9376 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2022 | < 10.0.20348.5761 |
| Microsoft | Windows Server 2025 | < 10.0.26100.33650 |
All CVSS metrics
- HIGH 8.8 v3.1 · CNA Primary
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:F/RL:O/RC:C - HIGH 8.8 v3.1 · NVD Secondary
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
Patches & mitigations
- https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96951 CVE record · microsoft · Updated 2026-10-25T18:48:18.266Z
NVD · CVE-2026-96951 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:18:00.760
VulnCheck KEV · CVE-2026-96951 · Updated 2026-10-13T00:00:00Z
Advisories
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-96951 CVE record · CISA-ADP · Updated 2026-10-16T03:56:31.910Z
NVD · CVE-2026-96951 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:18:00.760 - https://euvd.enisa.europa.eu/vulnerability/EUVD-2026-100274 EUVD · EUVD-2026-100274
- https://vulncheck.com/kev VulnCheck KEV · CVE-2026-96951 · Updated 2026-10-13T00:00:00Z
Technical & other
- https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/cvrf/v3.0/cvrf/2026-Oct VulnCheck KEV · CVE-2026-96951 · Updated 2026-10-13T00:00:00Z
- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lkNJ0uQwbeC1ZTRrxdtuPLCIl7mlUreoKfSIgajnSyY/edit VulnCheck KEV · CVE-2026-96951 · Updated 2026-10-13T00:00:00Z
- https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/feeds/known_exploited_vulnerabilities.json VulnCheck KEV · CVE-2026-96951 · Updated 2026-10-13T00:00:00Z