CVE-2026-96864: Microsoft Failover Cluster Virtual Driver Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Overview

Severity

Critical (CVSS 9.8)

CVSS Vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

Category

Remote Code Execution

Exploit Status

Not Exploited

Exploitation Likelihood

Unlikely

Patch Tuesday

2026-Oct

Released

2026-10-13

Description

Double free in Microsoft Failover Cluster Virtual Driver allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.

FAQ

How could an attacker exploit this vulnerability? An unauthenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted packet to an affected service over the network. Successful exploitation could allow the attacker to execute code on the target system. No authentication or user interaction is required..

Affected Products (16)

ESU

• Windows Server 2012
• Windows Server 2012 R2
• Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)
• Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)

Windows

• Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems
• Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems
• Windows Server 2016
• Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)
• Windows 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems
• Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems
• Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
• Windows Server 2025
• Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation)
• Windows Server 2019
• Windows Server 2022
• Windows Server 2022 (Server Core installation)

Security Updates (6)

• 5126835
• 5126836
• 5126868
• 5126651
• 5126646
• 5126655

Acknowledgments

41ae55e9310ff27fa6f26af4727e5590, 41ae55e9310ff27fa6f26af4727e5590

Revision History

• 2026-10-13: Information published.