CVE-2026-97816
9.8CriticalPublished 13 Oct 2026 · NVD status: Analyzed · AI triage by gemini-3.8-flash
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Impact
- Full C/I/A compromise
- Weakness
- CWE-416
Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can execute arbitrary code over the network on Windows hosts running OpenSSH. They only need network connectivity to the listening SSH port.
Root cause
A use-after-free vulnerability allows memory corruption during network communication handling.
Affected systems
Versions not listed — check the vendor advisory.
CVSS v3.1 · CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Fix & remediation
Apply the Microsoft security update referenced in advisory CVE-2026-97816. If patching must wait, stop and disable the sshd service or block port 22 on host and perimeter firewalls.
$ Stop-Service sshd; Set-Service -Name sshd -StartupType DisabledAI-suggested. Run it in staging first and check it against the vendor advisory. Why?
NVD description
Use after free in OpenSSH for Windows allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
References
- https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-97816PatchVendor Advisory