Microsoft Windows 11: Information disclosure in Windows Shell
Summary
A local, authenticated attacker can exploit an exposure of sensitive system information in Windows Shell, the core user interface layer of Windows, to read information they should not see. The attacker needs a low-privileged account or foothold on the system and user interaction is not required. The impact is limited to confidentiality; the flaw cannot be used remotely over the network.
Affected
- Windows 11 version 23H2: 10.0.22631.0 before 10.0.22631.7711
- Windows 11 version 24H2: 10.0.26100.0 before 10.0.26100.9445
- Windows 11 version 25H2: 10.0.26200.0 before 10.0.26200.9445 (fixed build unconfirmed, check MSRC)
- Windows 11 version 26H1: 10.0.28000.0 before 10.0.28000.3501
- Windows Server and Windows 10: Unknown, check MSRC
Fixed in
- Windows 11 23H2: 10.0.22631.7711
- Windows 11 24H2: 10.0.26100.9445
- Windows 11 26H1: 10.0.28000.3501
- Windows 11 25H2: 10.0.26200.9445 (unconfirmed)
Workaround
Unknown.
Exploitation
- Not listed in CISA KEV.
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, not automatable.
- Microsoft temporal metrics: exploit code maturity unproven (E:U).
- No public proof of concept found.
Our recommendation
- Install the November 2026 cumulative update on all affected Windows 11 systems.
- Prioritise shared, multi-user, terminal server and shared PCs.
- Check the Windows 11 23H2 support status and plan an upgrade if still in use.
- Keep endpoint protection running and monitor for a public proof of concept or KEV addition.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Response Center advisory CVE-2026-102868 msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE Record CVE-2026-102868 www.cve.org
- OpenCVE CVE-2026-102868 app.opencve.io
- Strix CVE-2026-102868 www.strix.ai
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 11 Nov 2026, 17:03.
Original description (NVD)
Exposure of sensitive system information to an unauthorized control sphere in Windows Shell allows an authorized attacker to disclose information locally.
NVD references (1)
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
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