---
id: "CVE-2026-96046"
page: "https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-96046"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-96046"]
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: ["no-local-users"]
published_at: "2026-11-10T19:22:01+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-10T19:25:28+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-10T20:02:24+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96046", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T19:25:28+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": null, "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T20:02:24+00:00"}]
exploit_sources: []
---

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

Link for people: https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-96046 (this .md is for agents)

A memory-handling bug in Windows Installer lets a user who already has an account on the machine raise their privileges. The attacker gets elevated rights locally, not remote access.

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

## How to check

Unknown until the MSRC entry for CVE-2026-96046 lists affected builds and the KB. Check installed Windows build (winver) and update history against that KB once published.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10T19:25:28+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96046
- 2026-11-10T20:02:24+00:00 analyst — MSRC page is JS-only; web-cli/WebFetch returned nothing for it, and no search result covers this CVE (hits were sibling CVEs 70346/70347). No affected builds, KB or mitigation read from a primary source, so nothing is verified. Needs the MSRC entry read in a browser, or a revisit once NVD lists CPEs. NVD: CVSS 7.0 AV:L/AC:H/PR:L, no exploitation or PoC known. X not checked.

## 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_