Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME): Local privilege escalation via path traversal
Summary
The Windows Input Method Editor (IME) contains a relative path traversal flaw (CWE-23) that allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges on the local system. The attacker needs a valid low-privilege account on the affected machine. Successful exploitation can result in high impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability of that system. No exploitation in the wild and no public proof of concept are known.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1607 (builds before 10.0.14393.9688)
- Windows 10 Version 1809 (builds before 10.0.17763.9487)
- Windows 10 Version 21H2 (builds before 10.0.19044.7846)
- Windows 10 Version 22H2 (builds before 10.0.19045.7846)
- Windows 11 Version 23H2 (builds before 10.0.22631.7711)
- Windows 11 Version 24H2 (builds before 10.0.26100.9974)
- Windows 11 Version 25H2 (builds before 10.0.26200.9974)
- Windows 11 Version 26H1 (builds before 10.0.28000.3501)
- Windows 11 Version 26H2 (builds before 10.0.26300.9974)
- Windows Server 2016, including Server Core (builds before 10.0.14393.9688)
- Windows Server 2019, including Server Core (builds before 10.0.17763.9487)
- Windows Server 2022 (builds before 10.0.20348.5870)
- Windows Server 2025: not listed in the CNA record; unverified
Fixed in
- Fixed in the November 2026 cumulative updates per build listed by Microsoft (verify the KB per build on MSRC).
- Windows 10 21H2: 10.0.19044.7846 or later
- Windows 10 22H2: 10.0.19045.7846 or later
- Windows 11 24H2: 10.0.26100.9974 or later
- Windows Server 2022: 10.0.20348.5870 or later
- Windows Server 2025: unverified, sources conflict
Workaround
Unknown.
Exploitation
- No exploitation in the wild known.
- No public proof of concept known.
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
Our recommendation
- Install the November 2026 cumulative update on all affected Windows systems.
- Check support status of Windows 10 1607 and 1809 systems and replace or upgrade them if they are out of support.
- Prioritise shared workstations, Remote Desktop and terminal servers, and multi-user machines.
- Verify the correct KB per build on the MSRC Security Update Guide.
- Limit local accounts and review who holds them.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Elevation of privilege – Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME)
- Status on Patch Tuesday
- Neither exploited nor publicly disclosed
- Exploitability assessment
- Exploitation less likely
- Product family
- Windows, Windows ESU (Extended Security Updates)
- Updates (KB)
- KB5132061, KB5132043, KB5131085, KB5131090, KB5131096, KB5131080
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-105505 msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE Record CVE-2026-105505 (CVE Program) www.cve.org
- Strix: CVE-2026-105505 www.strix.ai
- Senserva: KB5131096 (Windows 10 21H2, unofficial mapping) senserva.com
- Senserva: KB5132061 (Windows 11 24H2, unofficial mapping) senserva.com
- Rapid7: Patch Tuesday November 2026 www.rapid7.com
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, 04:37.
Original description (NVD)
Relative path traversal in Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges 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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