Windows Print Spooler Components: Use after free allows local privilege escalation

Summary

A use-after-free flaw in Windows Print Spooler Components allows an authorized local user to elevate privileges. Exploitation requires local access with low privileges and a high attack complexity, so the vulnerability is not reachable from the internet. Successful exploitation could give an attacker high impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability, which makes it relevant for multi-user systems and print servers.

Affected

• Windows 10 Version 1607 (Server 2016 also affected): builds 10.0.14393.0 to before 10.0.14393.9688
• Windows 10 Version 1809 (Server 2019 also affected): builds 10.0.17763.0 to before 10.0.17763.9487
• Windows 10 Version 21H2: builds 10.0.19044.0 to before 10.0.19044.7846
• Windows 10 Version 22H2: builds 10.0.19045.0 to before 10.0.19045.7846 (per third-party source, to be confirmed with MSRC)
• Windows 11 Version 23H2: builds 10.0.22631.0 to before 10.0.22631.7711
• Windows 11 Version 24H2 and 25H2: builds before 10.0.26100.9974 and 10.0.26200.9974 respectively
• Windows 11 Version 26H1: builds before 10.0.28000.3501
• Windows 11 Version 26H2: builds before 10.0.26300.9974
• Windows Server 2022: builds 10.0.20348.0 to before 10.0.20348.5870
• Server Core installations of Windows Server 2016 and 2019 are also listed

Fixed in

• Install the November 2026 Windows security update for the affected version (vendor fix build as listed in the affected section).
• KB numbers: Unknown.

Workaround

• No vendor-documented workaround found.
• Unknown whether MSRC lists an interim mitigation.
• Not vendor-sourced: on hosts that do not need printing, consider disabling the Print Spooler service.

Exploitation

• CISA SSVC: Exploitation none, Automatable no, Technical Impact total.
• Rapid7 rates it Exploitation Less Likely and reports no public disclosure.
• No public proof of concept or CISA KEV entry found at the time of research.
• Talos reports an exploited vulnerability in the November 2026 release, but does not identify this CVE.

Our recommendation

• Apply the November 2026 security update on all affected Windows clients and servers in the normal monthly cycle, prioritising multi-user servers and print servers.
• Verify the affected builds and KB numbers in the MSRC Security Update Guide before rollout.
• Restrict local logon rights on shared machines and review accounts with local access.
• Disable the Print Spooler on systems that do not need printing.
• Monitor the MSRC advisory and CISA KEV for signs of exploitation and re-prioritise if reported.

Public exploits iAttack code is publicly available (PoC on GitHub, Metasploit or Exploit-DB).

PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.

Research sources

• CVE Record CVE-2026-112976 www.cve.org
• MSRC Security Update Guide CVE-2026-112976 msrc.microsoft.com
• Strix CVE-2026-112976 (third-party, to verify) www.strix.ai
• Rapid7 Patch Tuesday November 2026 www.rapid7.com
• Talos Microsoft Patch Tuesday November 2026 blog.talosintelligence.com
• GBHackers Microsoft November 2026 Patch Tuesday gbhackers.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, 09:07.