Windows Desktop Window Manager: Use-after-free leads to local privilege escalation
Summary
A use-after-free flaw (CWE-416) in the Windows Desktop Window Manager, the component that composites and renders window graphics, allows an authorized local attacker to elevate privileges. Exploitation requires low-privileged local access and high attack complexity. The flaw is not directly exposed to the internet, but it can serve as a second stage after a phishing or malware foothold and poses a higher risk on shared multi-user systems such as Remote Desktop servers.
Affected
- Windows 11 Version 24H2: 10.0.26100.0 to before 10.0.26100.9974
- Windows 11 Version 25H2: 10.0.26200.0 to before 10.0.26200.9974
- Windows 11 Version 26H1: 10.0.28000.0 to before 10.0.28000.3501
- Windows 11 Version 26H2: 10.0.26300.0 to before 10.0.26300.9974
- Windows Server 2025 (including Server Core installation): 10.0.26100.0 to before 10.0.26100.33822
Fixed in
- Fixed in the Windows security update of 10 November 2026 (Patch Tuesday). KB number: Unknown.
- The fixed builds are listed above per the CVE record. Verify the matching build per update package in the MSRC advisory before relying on it.
- Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016/2019: Unknown.
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor-documented workaround. Patching is the only verified fix.
- Until patched, restrict local interactive and terminal-session logons on shared machines and use standard user accounts.
Exploitation
- Microsoft exploitability table at publication: publicly disclosed No, exploited No, assessment 'Exploitation More Likely'.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation none, not automatable, total technical impact.
- No public proof of concept or exploit code known at the time of research.
Our recommendation
- Install the November 2026 Windows security update on all affected systems, starting with servers and shared hosts such as Remote Desktop servers, then user endpoints.
- Check the MSRC advisory and KB article for the exact fixed build per platform.
- Monitor for public exploit code and changes in exploitation status, and re-check this entry after NVD analysis.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-113819 msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE.org CVE Record: CVE-2026-113819 www.cve.org
- Strix: CVE-2026-113819 (third-party tracker) www.strix.ai
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, 09:01.
Original description (NVD)
Use after free 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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