Privilege Elevation Vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server
CVE-2026-96940

8.8HIGH

Key Information:

Vendor

Microsoft
Status
Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 23
Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 14
Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 15
Microsoft Exchange Server Subscription Edition Rtm
Vendor
CVE Published:
2 October 2026

Badges

📈 Trended📈 Score: 5,440💰 Ransomware👾 Exploit Exists🟡 Public PoC📰 News Worthy

What is CVE-2026-96940?

CVE-2026-96940 is a vulnerability found in Microsoft Exchange Server, a widely utilized communication and collaboration platform designed for email, calendar, and task management. This particular flaw is categorized as a privilege elevation vulnerability, which means it allows an authenticated attacker to gain elevated access rights within the network. As a result, an attacker can perform actions that are normally restricted, potentially taking control over sensitive data and system settings. The underlying issue stems from weak authorization mechanisms that fail to adequately restrict user permissions, making this a critical concern for organizations that rely on Microsoft Exchange Server for their operations.

Potential impact of CVE-2026-96940

  1. Unauthorized Access to Sensitive Information: Exploiting this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain access to sensitive communications and confidential data handled by Microsoft Exchange Server, leading to severe privacy breaches and data leaks.

  2. Compromise of Network Security: By elevating their privileges, attackers could compromise the integrity of the entire network, introducing malicious payloads or further exploits that could affect other systems and users within the organization.

  3. Increased Attack Surface: The existence of this vulnerability broadens the attack surface for threat actors, making it easier for them to initiate further attacks, such as lateral movement within the network, and potentially facilitating large-scale ransomware campaigns.

Affected Version(s)

Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 23 x64-based Systems 15.01.0.0 < 15.01.2507.075

Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 14 x64-based Systems 15.02.0.0 < 15.02.1544.048

Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 15 x64-based Systems 15.02.0.0 < 15.02.1748.053

Exploit Proof of Concept (PoC)

PoC code is written by security researchers to demonstrate the vulnerability can be exploited. PoC code is also a key component for weaponization which could lead to ransomware.

CVE-2026-96940
Created by HORKimhab

News Articles

favicon imageHelp Net Security

Week in review: FortiBleed is still active, Patch Tuesday forecast - Help Net Security

Here’s an overview of some of last week’s most interesting news, articles, interviews and videos: Three questions a hospital CISO should ask a healthcare

2 weeks ago

favicon imageIt Security News

Microsoft Exchange Vulnerability Could Leak Confidential Organizational Info - IT Security News

Microsoft has issued an emergency security update to fix a vulnerability in Exchange Server that could expose confidential organizational communications. The flaw, tracked as CVE-2026-96940, has received a...

2 weeks ago

References

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE...
vendor-advisorypatch

CVSS V3.1

Score:
8.8
Severity:
HIGH
Confidentiality:
High
Integrity:
High
Availability:
High
Attack Vector:
Network
Attack Complexity:
Low
Privileges Required:
Low
User Interaction:
None
Scope:
Unchanged

Timeline

  • 💰

    Used in Ransomware

  • 📈

    Vulnerability started trending

  • 🟡

    Public PoC available

  • 👾

    Exploit known to exist

  • 📰

    First article discovered by Onmsft

  • Vulnerability published

  • Vulnerability Reserved

.