Microsoft Windows: Elevation of privilege in Windows Kernel
Summary
A flaw in how the Windows Kernel handles objects in memory allows an elevation of privilege. A locally authenticated attacker who runs a specially crafted application could execute code with elevated permissions, potentially reaching SYSTEM level from a limited account. The CVSS base score is 7.0 (High) with a high attack complexity; the attacker needs a local foothold and low privileges, and no user interaction is required.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1607 and Windows Server 2016 (incl. Server Core): builds below 10.0.14393.9688
- Windows 10 Version 1809 and Windows Server 2019 (incl. Server Core): builds below 10.0.17763.9487
- Windows 10 Version 21H2: builds below 10.0.19044.7846
- Windows 10 Version 22H2: builds below 10.0.19045.7846
- Windows 11 Version 23H2: builds below 10.0.22631.7711
- Windows 11 Version 24H2: builds below 10.0.26100.9974
- Windows 11 Version 25H2: builds below 10.0.26200.9974
- Windows 11 Version 26H1: builds below 10.0.28000.3501
- Windows 11 Version 26H2: builds below 10.0.26300.9974
- Windows Server 2022: builds below 10.0.20348.5870
- Fixed build for Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 25H2 unknown; verify on the MSRC page.
Fixed in
- Security update released 10 Nov 2026 for each affected build (fixed build is the first build not affected).
- Verified KB number for this CVE: Unknown.
- Fixed builds for Windows 11 23H2, 24H2 and Windows Server 2016/2019/2022 are reported only by third-party sources; verify them against MSRC before relying on them.
Workaround
- No vendor-published workaround. The security update is the only stated remedy.
- Compensating controls (general practice): restrict local logon on shared servers and terminal servers, limit execution of unknown applications, keep endpoint protection active.
Exploitation
- No known in-the-wild exploitation or public proof-of-concept code.
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, not automatable, total technical impact.
- Exploit code maturity is Unproven (E:U); report confidence is Confirmed (RC:C).
- Rapid7 reports exploitation for one vulnerability published on the same day, which is not named; this CVE cannot be excluded. Check the MSRC exploitability flags.
Our recommendation
- Install the Windows security update released on 10 Nov 2026 on all affected Windows 10, Windows 11 and Windows Server systems.
- Prioritise terminal servers, file servers and shared workstations, where many users have local logon.
- Restrict local logon and the execution of unknown applications on shared systems.
- Check the MSRC page for exploitability flags and verify fixed builds before deployment.
- Monitor for privilege escalation and unusual process activity.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Elevation of privilege – Windows Kernel
- Status on Patch Tuesday
- Neither exploited nor publicly disclosed
- Exploitability assessment
- Exploitation less likely
- Product family
- Windows, Windows ESU (Extended Security Updates)
- Updates (KB)
- KB5131291, KB5131085, KB5131096, KB5131090, KB5131087, KB5132061
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-105513 msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE Record CVE-2026-105513 www.cve.org
- Strix: CVE-2026-105513 (third-party, unverified builds) www.strix.ai
- Rapid7: Patch Tuesday November 2026 www.rapid7.com
- Senserva: KB5131090 (third-party, unconfirmed for this CVE) senserva.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, 09:45.
Original description (NVD)
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Kernel handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could execute code with elevated permissions. To exploit the vulnerability, a locally authenticated attacker could run a specially crafted application. The security update addresses the vulnerability by ensuring the Windows Kernel properly handles objects in memory.
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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