How severe is CVE-2026-41096?

CVE-2026-41096 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2026-41096 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (78th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2026-41096?

CVE-2026-41096 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 11 23h2. In total, 10 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2026-41096?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

Does CVE-2026-41096 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2026-41096 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-29684.

When was CVE-2026-41096 published?

CVE-2026-41096 was published on 2026-05-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2026-41096

CVE-2026-41096 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 11 23h2 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-122.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (78th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2026-29684
Weakness: CWE-122
Affected product: Microsoft Windows 11 23h2
Published: 2026-05-12
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Windows DNS allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-41096?: Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Windows DNS allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
How severe is CVE-2026-41096?: CVE-2026-41096 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2026-41096 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (78th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2026-41096?: CVE-2026-41096 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 11 23h2. In total, 10 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2026-41096?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2026-41096 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2026-41096 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-29684.
When was CVE-2026-41096 published?: CVE-2026-41096 was published on 2026-05-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-41096

Affected products (10)

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_23h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_23h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_26h1:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_26h1:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022_23h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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