Microsoft Windows Print Spooler: Relative path traversal enables privilege escalation
Summary
Relative path traversal (CWE-23) in Windows Print Spooler Components allows an attacker on the network to elevate privileges. The CVSS 3.1 vector (8.8, HIGH) assumes no privileges but user interaction, although the description calls the attacker unauthorized. The impact is rated high for confidentiality, integrity and availability. CISA SSVC rates exploitation as none and the issue as not automatable.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1607 (before 10.0.14393.9688)
- Windows 10 Version 1809 (before 10.0.17763.9487)
- Windows 10 Version 21H2 (before 10.0.19044.7846)
- Windows 10 Version 22H2 (before 10.0.19045.7846)
- Windows 11 Version 23H2 (before 10.0.22631.7711)
- Windows 11 Version 24H2 (before 10.0.26100.9974)
- Windows 11 Version 25H2 (before 10.0.26200.9974)
- Windows 11 Version 26H1 (before 10.0.28000.3501)
- Windows 11 Version 26H2 (before 10.0.26300.9974)
- Windows Server 2016, including Server Core (before 10.0.14393.9688)
- Windows Server 2019, including Server Core (before 10.0.17763.9487)
- Windows Server 2022 (before 10.0.20348.5870)
Fixed in
- Fixed builds are listed per product under Affected.
- Fix published in the November 10, 2026 update cycle.
- KB numbers: Unknown. Take them from the MSRC advisory.
Workaround
Unknown. No CVE-specific mitigation has been confirmed.
- General hardening (not specific to this CVE): disable the Print Spooler on servers and domain controllers that do not need printing, after checking the business impact.
Exploitation
- Not known to be exploited in the wild (CISA SSVC: exploitation none).
- No public proof of concept found.
- Not automatable according to CISA SSVC.
Our recommendation
- Install the November 2026 security update on all affected Windows 10, 11 and Server systems, starting with domain controllers and servers.
- Disable the Print Spooler on systems that do not print.
- Block inbound access to Print Spooler RPC interfaces at the perimeter.
- Verify the affected builds and KB numbers on the MSRC advisory.
- Monitor for unexpected privilege changes on Windows hosts.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Elevation of privilege – Windows Print Spooler Components
- 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-2026-112762 msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE Record CVE-2026-112762 (CNA: Microsoft) www.cve.org
- Strix CVE summary CVE-2026-112762 (provisional, unverified) www.strix.ai
- HackTricks: PrintNightmare and Print Spooler hardening hacktricks.wiki
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 10 Nov 2026, 22:48.
Original description (NVD)
Relative path traversal in Windows Print Spooler Components allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
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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