CVE-2026-96951: Microsoft Windows

What is CVE-2026-96951?

Improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('command injection') in Windows Shell allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature over a network.

CVSS8.8 NVD 3.1

SeverityHIGH

Exploitation In the wild In CISA KEV

Triage statusActive Exploit

ActionPatch immediately

CVSS vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWECWE-77

NVD published2026-10-13

NVD last modified2026-10-14

Timeline

2026-10-13Published to the U.S. National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-10-13Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog
2026-10-14First covered in a defend.network daily briefing
2026-10-14NVD record last updated
2026-10-16CISA federal remediation deadline (BOD 22-01)

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability

Microsoft Windows Command Injection Vulnerability

Added to KEV2026-10-13

Federal patch deadline2026-10-16

Known ransomware useUnknown

Affected product

Microsoft Windows

Remediation Steps

Apply the October 2026 Microsoft Patch Tuesday update immediately
Prioritize Windows systems that are exposed to untrusted network input or user scripts
Verify patch deployment across all Windows systems using Microsoft's patch compliance tools
Monitor Windows event logs for anomalous command execution patterns

References

Referenced in our briefings & reports

Vulnerability Priority Report – Week 2 of October 2026 (October 12 – 18)
Microsoft 1,411-flaw Patch Tuesday; Ivanti zero-day root access; OpenAI spy device arrest (2026-10-14)

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🤖 This CVE page is generated by defend.network from NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS, and our verified daily briefings. Severity and exploitation data come from official sources; always verify remediation steps against the official vendor advisory before acting in production.