CVE-2026-96931

Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete

Untrusted Pointer Dereference in Windows NTFS

Publication date: 2026-10-13

Last updated on: 2026-10-16

Assigner: Microsoft Corporation

Description

Untrusted pointer dereference in Windows NTFS allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
Percentile:

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-2026-96931

EUVD

EUVD-2026-100257

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
microsoft	windows_server_2012	r2
microsoft	windows_server_2012	*
microsoft	windows_server_2022	to 10.0.20348.5761 (exc)
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_2016	to 10.0.14393.9612 (exc)
microsoft	windows_server_2019	to 10.0.17763.9376 (exc)
microsoft	windows_server_2025	to 10.0.26100.33650 (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-822	The product obtains a value from an untrusted source, converts this value to a pointer, and dereferences the resulting pointer.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

This vulnerability involves an untrusted pointer dereference in Windows NTFS. An authorized attacker can exploit this to elevate their privileges locally on affected systems.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability involves an untrusted pointer dereference in Windows NTFS that allows local privilege escalation. Detection typically requires analyzing system logs for unusual NTFS operations or crashes. Use Event Viewer to check for NTFS-related errors in System logs. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint can also detect suspicious activity. No specific commands are provided in the available resources.

Impact Analysis

An attacker could gain higher-level access to your system, allowing them to perform unauthorized actions such as installing malicious software, accessing sensitive data, or taking control of the system.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, potentially violating compliance requirements under GDPR, HIPAA, or other regulations that mandate strict data protection and access controls.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest Windows security updates from Microsoft to patch the NTFS vulnerability. Disable unnecessary user accounts with local administrative privileges. Monitor system logs for unusual privilege escalation attempts.

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