CVE-2026-96853: CWE-367: Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607
Description
CVE-2026-96853 is a time-of-check time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition vulnerability in the Windows Win32 Kernel Subsystem affecting Windows 10 Version 1607 and later builds. This flaw allows an authorized local attacker to disclose sensitive information. The vulnerability has a medium severity with a CVSS score of 4.7. An official fix is available from Microsoft.
CVSS v3.1
Score 4.7medium
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 is a TOCTOU race condition in the Windows Win32 Kernel Subsystem that can be exploited by an authorized local attacker to disclose information. It affects multiple builds of Windows 10 starting from version 1607 up to specific patched builds. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates the attack requires local access with high attack complexity and low privileges, but no user interaction. The impact is limited to confidentiality loss without integrity or availability impact. Microsoft has released an official fix for this issue.
Potential Impact
An authorized local attacker can exploit this race condition to disclose sensitive information on affected Windows 10 systems. There is no impact on system integrity or availability. The vulnerability requires local access and has a high attack complexity, limiting the ease of exploitation.
Mitigation Recommendations
Microsoft has released an official fix for this vulnerability. Users and administrators should apply the available security updates as provided in the Microsoft Security Response Center advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96853 to remediate this issue.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- microsoft
- Date Reserved
- 2026-09-23T18:05:21.201Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- official-fix
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96853","vendor":"Microsoft"}]
Threat ID: 6ace857d2cdf04f656a004a9
Added to database: 10/13/2026, 19:24:45 UTC
Last enriched: 10/14/2026, 00:04:47 UTC
Last updated: 10/14/2026, 00:04:47 UTC
Views: 2
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