---
id: "CVE-2026-96176"
page: "https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-96176"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-96176"]
title: "Windows DNS: memory not freed lets a network attacker crash the service"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.5
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["infrastructure", "self-hosted", "windows", "windows-dns"]
not_affected_if: ["dns-server-role-not-installed", "no-dns-server-role"]
published_at: "2026-11-10T19:22:17+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-10T19:25:32+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-10T19:44:09+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96176", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T19:25:32+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": null, "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T19:44:09+00:00"}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# Windows DNS: memory not freed lets a network attacker crash the service

Link for people: https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-96176 (this .md is for agents)

Windows DNS Server leaks memory after it is no longer needed, which an unauthorized attacker can trigger over the network. The result is a denial of service, meaning the DNS service can be made to stall or stop.

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

## How to check

- Check the Windows build and patch level with `winver` or `Get-ComputerInfo` and compare against the Microsoft security update that lists CVE-2026-96176
- Confirm the DNS Server role is installed with `Get-WindowsFeature DNS`

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10T19:25:32+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96176
- 2026-11-10T19:44:09+00:00 analyst — MSRC page is JS-only and returned nothing via web-cli; NVD has no versions; no search hit for this CVE. Builds, KB and fix remain unknown; nothing verified. Needs the MSRC update-guide entry (browser-cli) to settle.

## From the sources

Missing release of memory after effective lifetime in Windows DNS allows an unauthorized attacker to deny service over a network.

---

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