---
title: "CVE-2026-88193: Microsoft Scripting Engine - Privilege Escalation"
description: "Microsoft Scripting Engine contains a heap-based buffer overflow caused by improper memory handling, letting authorized local attackers elevate privileges, exploit requires local access with authorization."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-88193/
---

# CVE-2026-88193 Microsoft Scripting Engine - Privilege Escalation

Microsoft Scripting Engine contains a heap-based buffer overflow caused by improper memory handling, letting authorized local attackers elevate privileges, exploit requires local access with authorization.

CVSS base score 7.8 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

Authentication

Required

EPSS

0.31% chance of exploitation in 30 days

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-88193)

## Details

Type

Privilege Escalation

Impact

Privilege Escalation

CVSS vector

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

Published

13 October 2026

Updated

15 October 2026

Weakness

[CWE-122](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/122.html)

## Vendor fix

Update to the latest version of Microsoft Scripting Engine.

Patching closes this CVE. It does not tell you which of your systems run the affected version, or what else is exposed alongside them.

## References

- [https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-88193](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-88193)
- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-88193](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-88193)

[← All CVEs](https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/)

## What this record can't tell you

- Whether you run the affected software, and where
- Whether an attacker can actually reach and exploit it
- The misconfigurations that never get a CVE number
- What it would cost the business, ranked into what to fix first

Panop answers these inside your environment, for this CVE and every other finding.

[Book a demo](https://panop.io/demo)