CVE-2026-96937: CWE-416: Use After Free in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21H2
Description
CVE-2026-96937 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Microsoft Windows Search Component affecting Windows 10 Version 21H2 and related builds. This flaw allows an authorized local attacker to elevate privileges on the affected system. The vulnerability has a high severity rating with a CVSS score of 7. An official fix is available from Microsoft.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.0high
Affected software
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 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-2026-96937) involves a use-after-free condition in the Windows Search Component of Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21H2 and other specified builds. Exploitation requires local access with authorized privileges and can result in privilege escalation. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-416 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.0, indicating high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Microsoft has released an official fix to address this issue.
Potential Impact
An authorized local attacker can exploit this use-after-free vulnerability to elevate privileges on the affected Windows 10 systems. This could allow the attacker to gain higher-level access than intended, potentially compromising system security and control.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official fix is available from Microsoft. Users and administrators should apply the security updates provided by Microsoft to affected Windows 10 versions to remediate this vulnerability. Refer to the Microsoft Security Response Center advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96937 for update details and installation instructions.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- microsoft
- Date Reserved
- 2026-09-23T20:35:19.927Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- official-fix
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96937","vendor":"Microsoft"}]
Threat ID: 6ace85842cdf04f656a004dc
Added to database: 10/13/2026, 19:24:52 UTC
Last enriched: 10/13/2026, 23:48:23 UTC
Last updated: 10/13/2026, 23:48:23 UTC
Views: 2
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