CVE-2026-96918

Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete

Improper Access Control in Windows NTFS Elevates Privileges

Publication date: 2026-10-13

Last updated on: 2026-10-16

Assigner: Microsoft Corporation

Description

Improper access control in Windows NTFS allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
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Meta Information

Published

2026-10-13

Last Modified

2026-10-16

Generated

2026-10-19

AI Q&A

2026-10-14

EPSS Evaluated

2026-10-18

NVD

CVE-2026-96918

EUVD

EUVD-2026-100247

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
microsoft	windows_10_1607	to 10.0.14393.9612 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_1607	to 10.0.14393.9612 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_1809	to 10.0.17763.9376 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_1809	to 10.0.17763.9376 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_21h2	to 10.0.19044.7807 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_21h2	to 10.0.19044.7807 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_21h2	to 10.0.19044.7807 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_23h2	to 10.0.22631.7652 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_23h2	to 10.0.22631.7652 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_24h2	to 10.0.26100.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_24h2	to 10.0.26100.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_25h2	to 10.0.26200.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_25h2	to 10.0.26200.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_26h1	to 10.0.28000.3231 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_26h1	to 10.0.28000.3231 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_26h2	to 10.0.26300.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_11_26h2	to 10.0.26300.9711 (exc)
microsoft	windows_server_2025	to 10.0.26100.33650 (exc)
microsoft	windows_server_2022	to 10.0.20348.5761 (exc)
microsoft	windows_server_2016	to 10.0.14393.9612 (exc)
microsoft	windows_server_2019	to 10.0.17763.9376 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_22h2	to 10.0.19045.7807 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_22h2	to 10.0.19045.7807 (exc)
microsoft	windows_10_22h2	to 10.0.19045.7807 (exc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-863	The product performs an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action, but it does not correctly perform the check.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

This vulnerability is an improper access control flaw in Windows NTFS that allows an authorized attacker to elevate their privileges locally. This means an attacker with some access could gain higher-level permissions on the system.

Detection Guidance

Detection of CVE-2026-96918 requires checking for improper access control in Windows NTFS. Use Windows Event Viewer to review security logs for unusual privilege escalation events. Check for unauthorized modifications to NTFS permissions or ACL changes. Run 'icacls' commands to verify file and directory permissions across critical system folders.

Impact Analysis

An attacker could exploit this to gain elevated privileges on your system, potentially allowing them to install programs, view or delete data, or create new accounts with full user rights.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability allows local privilege escalation via improper NTFS access control. Such attacks could enable unauthorized access to sensitive data or system functions, potentially violating GDPR's data protection requirements or HIPAA's access control mandates if exploited in regulated environments.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest Windows security updates from Microsoft Update to patch the NTFS improper access control vulnerability. Monitor Microsoft's security advisories for patches and install them promptly.

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