---
id: "CVE-2026-96026"
page: "https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-96026"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-96026"]
title: "Windows Installer: use-after-free lets a local user gain higher privileges"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.0
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["infrastructure", "local-privilege-escalation", "windows", "windows-installer"]
not_affected_if: []
published_at: "2026-11-10T19:21:59+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-10T19:25:27+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-10T20:05:54+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96026", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T19:25:27+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": null, "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T20:05:54+00:00"}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# Windows Installer: use-after-free lets a local user gain higher privileges

Link for people: https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-96026 (this .md is for agents)

A use-after-free bug in Windows Installer lets a logged-in local user raise their privileges. The attacker needs valid access to the machine first.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## How to check

Unknown: MSRC advisory not read. Once known, compare installed Windows build (winver) against the fixed build in the MSRC Security Update Guide entry for CVE-2026-96026.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10T19:25:27+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96026
- 2026-11-10T20:05:54+00:00 analyst — Could not read MSRC advisory (update-guide page is JS-only, web-cli empty, browser quota exhausted). Only NVD description known; builds, KB and fix unknown. Revisit once MSRC/CVRF content is reachable; fix is presumably in November 2026 Patch Tuesday but unconfirmed.

## From the sources

Use after free in Windows Installer allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

---

_Free to read, with fair use of about 60 pages a minute. For higher limits or API access: sales@infrastack.ai_