---
id: "CVE-2026-96994"
page: "https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-96994"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-96994"]
title: "Windows Winsock: 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", "winsock"]
not_affected_if: ["no-local-accounts"]
published_at: "2026-11-10T19:22:22+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-10T19:25:34+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-10T19:49:44+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96994", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T19:25:34+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": "https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/cvrf/v3.0/updates/CVE-2026-96994", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T19:49:44+00:00", "cites": ["https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/cvrf/v3.0/updates/CVE-2026-96994"]}]
exploit_sources: []
---

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

Link for people: https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-96994 (this .md is for agents)

A use-after-free bug in the Windows Winsock networking component lets an authorized local user trigger memory corruption. An attacker with a low-privilege account can use it to elevate privileges on the machine.

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

## How to check

Compare the installed Windows build/KB (winver or Get-HotFix) against the MSRC Security Update Guide entry for CVE-2026-96994; any system without the November 2026 cumulative update is presumed exposed. Exact builds unknown.

## Fix

Install the November 2026 Windows cumulative security update (MSRC lists this CVE in it). Exact KB and build numbers: unknown, see the MSRC Security Update Guide entry for CVE-2026-96994.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10T19:25:34+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96994
- 2026-11-10T19:49:44+00:00 analyst https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/cvrf/v3.0/updates/CVE-2026-96994 — MSRC API only confirms the CVE is in the November 2026 security updates (2026-11-10). The MSRC page is JS-only and the CVRF document came back empty, so affected builds and KB numbers are unread. Search hits for Winsock/AFD CVEs were other ids (e.g. CVE-2026-68820) and were not used. Revisit when the MSRC page or NVD detail is readable.

## Documents

- [advisory] MSRC CVRF: CVE-2026-96994 listed in November 2026 Security Updates https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/cvrf/v3.0/updates/CVE-2026-96994

## From the sources

Use after free in Winsock 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_