Microsoft Windows Desktop Window Manager: Elevation of privilege via heap overflow
Summary
A heap-based buffer overflow in the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) of affected Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 systems allows an authorized local user to elevate privileges. Exploitation requires local access and low privileges, so an attacker typically needs an existing foothold such as a phished user or a compromised account. Successful exploitation can lead to full control of the machine.
Affected
- Windows 11 version 23H2: before 10.0.22631.7711 (CNA record)
- Windows 11 version 24H2: before 10.0.26100.9974 (CNA record)
- Windows 11 version 25H2, 26H1, 26H2 and Windows Server 2025 (including Server Core): listed in the CNA record; the exact fixed builds could not be verified and are listed unverified by a third party
- Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016, 2019 and 2022: not listed in the retrieved sources; status unknown
Fixed in
- Installation of the November 2026 cumulative update for the affected Windows version.
- Fixed build per CNA record: 10.0.22631.7711 (23H2) and 10.0.26100.9974 (24H2).
- Other fixed builds: unverified, confirm on the MSRC advisory.
Workaround
Unknown. No workaround is documented in the retrieved sources; patching is the only documented fix. Disabling the DWM service is not a suitable mitigation.
Exploitation
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, not automatable, total technical impact.
- CVSS temporal vector E:U: no known exploit code as of publication.
- No public proof of concept found; exploitation status in NVD is pending.
Our recommendation
- Install the November 2026 cumulative update on all affected Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 systems, prioritising workstations and terminal servers.
- Verify the fixed builds on the MSRC advisory before rollout.
- Check whether Windows 10 or older Windows Server versions are affected and plan accordingly.
- Restrict local accounts and monitor for unusual privilege changes until patched.
- Check NVD and CISA KEV for updates once analysis is complete.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- CVE.org record CVE-2026-105528 www.cve.org
- Microsoft Security Update Guide msrc.microsoft.com
- Strix AI CVE-2026-105528 (third party, unverified builds) www.strix.ai
- BleepingComputer: November 2026 Patch Tuesday www.bleepingcomputer.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, 04:34.
Original description (NVD)
Heap-based buffer overflow in Desktop Window Manager 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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