CVE-2026-88159: CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607
Description
CVE-2026-88159 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607 and related versions involving a use-after-free flaw in the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS). This vulnerability allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code remotely over a network. The issue is tracked as CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read). An official fix is available from Microsoft.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.8high
Affected software
Microsoft
Windows 10 Version 1607
Microsoft
Windows 10 Version 1809
Microsoft
Windows 10 Version 21H2
Microsoft
Windows 10 Version 22H2
Microsoft
Windows 11 version 23H2
Microsoft
Windows 11 Version 23H2
Microsoft
Windows 11 Version 24H2
Microsoft
Windows 11 Version 25H2
Microsoft
Windows 11 version 26H1
Microsoft
Windows 11 Version 26H2
Microsoft
Windows Server 2012
Microsoft
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)
Microsoft
Windows Server 2012 R2
Microsoft
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)
Microsoft
Windows Server 2016
Microsoft
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)
Microsoft
Windows Server 2019
Microsoft
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
Microsoft
Windows Server 2022
Microsoft
Windows Server 2025
Microsoft
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation)
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability (CVE-2026-88159) is a use-after-free flaw in the Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) that enables remote code execution by an unauthorized attacker over a network. It affects multiple Windows 10 versions including 1607 and later builds up to specific patched versions. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.8, indicating high severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and no user interaction required. Microsoft has published an official fix for this vulnerability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code remotely with elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official fix is available from Microsoft. Users and administrators should apply the security updates provided by Microsoft as detailed in the vendor advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-88159 to remediate this vulnerability.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- microsoft
- Date Reserved
- 2026-09-09T21:58:19.187Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- official-fix
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-88159","vendor":"Microsoft"}]
Threat ID: 6ace85632cdf04f6569ff91a
Added to database: 10/13/2026, 19:24:19 UTC
Last enriched: 10/14/2026, 01:33:19 UTC
Last updated: 10/14/2026, 01:33:19 UTC
Views: 2
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