Microsoft Windows Desktop Window Manager: Elevation of privilege
Summary
A untrusted pointer dereference in the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) of Microsoft Windows allows an authorized local attacker to elevate privileges. The attacker needs local access and low privileges, and no user interaction is required. Microsoft rates the issue Important, and the CNA record and CISA SSVC assessment show no known exploitation.
Affected
- Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607 and Windows Server 2016 (before 10.0.14393.9688)
- Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 and Windows Server 2019 (before 10.0.17763.9487)
- Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21H2 (before 10.0.19044.7846)
- Microsoft Windows 10 Version 22H2 (before 10.0.19045.7846)
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 23H2 (before 10.0.22631.7711)
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24H2 and 25H2 (fixed build to be confirmed in the MSRC advisory)
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 26H1 (before 10.0.28000.3501)
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 26H2 (before 10.0.26300.9974)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2022 (before 10.0.20348.5870)
- Unknown whether the full product list is complete.
Fixed in
- Install the Microsoft security update for November 2026 (Patch Tuesday, 10 November 2026) for the affected version.
- Fixed builds according to the CNA record: see affected list above.
- Note: the fixed build for Windows 11 24H2 is inconsistent across sources (26100.9974 vs. 26100.33822); confirm in the MSRC advisory.
Workaround
- No vendor workaround known.
- Unknown whether any mitigation exists.
Exploitation
- Not known to be actively exploited (Rapid7, Action1). CISA SSVC: Exploitation none, Automatable no, Technical Impact total.
- No public proof-of-concept known.
- Qualys reports that the exploited Outlook issue in this release is a different CVE.
- Context: an earlier DWM information-disclosure bug (CVE-2026-20805) was exploited and added to CISA KEV in early 2026.
Our recommendation
- Deploy the November 2026 cumulative update to all Windows workstations and servers, prioritising workstations.
- Check the MSRC advisory for the exact fixed build per product before relying on the version table.
- Limit local logon rights and remove unneeded local administrator accounts to reduce the impact of a foothold.
- Monitor endpoints for privilege escalation activity after phishing or malware incidents.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Elevation of privilege – Desktop Window Manager
- 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-2026-112988 msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE Record CVE-2026-112988 www.cve.org
- Strix AI: CVE-2026-112988 www.strix.ai
- The Record: DWM vulnerability added to CISA list therecord.media
- Rapid7: Patch Tuesday November 2026 www.rapid7.com
- Action1: Patch Tuesday November 2026 www.action1.com
- Qualys: Patch Tuesday November 2026 review blog.qualys.com
- AdminSignal: November 2026 Patch Tuesday priorities www.adminsignal.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, 16:48.
Original description (NVD)
Untrusted pointer dereference 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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