Microsoft Windows Desktop Window Manager: Local privilege escalation via stack overflow
Summary
The Desktop Window Manager (DWM) component of Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022/2025 contains a stack-based buffer overflow (CWE-121). An authorized local user with low privileges can exploit it to gain higher privileges, potentially up to SYSTEM. Exploitation requires prior local code execution, for example via phishing or malware, and the flaw is not reachable from the internet by itself.
Affected
- 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 (per CVE record)
- Windows 11 version 26H1: builds before 10.0.28000.3501
- Windows 11 version 26H2: builds before 10.0.26300.9974 (per CVE record)
- Windows Server 2022: builds before 10.0.20348.5870
- Windows Server 2025 (including Server Core): builds before 10.0.26100.33822
- Windows 10 and other versions: Unknown.
Fixed in
- Install the November 2026 cumulative update for the affected Windows version (Windows Update or WSUS).
- Windows 11 24H2: KB5132061 according to a third-party tracker, not verified against Microsoft; confirm in the Microsoft Update Catalog.
- Fixed builds for 25H2 and 26H2 as listed in the CVE record: verify against the MSRC advisory.
Workaround
- No vendor-specific workaround found. Unknown.
- Interim measures (general practice): restrict local logon for untrusted users and enforce least privilege.
Exploitation
- Exploited in the wild: No.
- Public proof-of-concept exploit: none found.
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
- Status as of 2026-11-10; may change.
Our recommendation
- Patch in the next standard update cycle with the November 2026 cumulative update; raise priority if public exploit code or exploitation appears.
- Verify the build number on each device after installation.
- Prioritise shared workstations and terminal servers, where a standard user account could become SYSTEM.
- Keep EDR active and monitor endpoints for malware, since local code execution is the prerequisite.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- CVE Record CVE-2026-105581 www.cve.org
- Microsoft Security Update Guide msrc.microsoft.com
- Senserva KB 5132061 (third-party, unverified) 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, 00:00.
Original description (NVD)
Stack-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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