Microsoft Windows Search Component: Remote code execution via out-of-bounds write
Summary
The Windows Search Component is affected by an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787). According to the CVE description, an unauthenticated attacker can execute code over a network, without user interaction. The CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 is provided in the CVE record but has not yet been confirmed by the vendor advisory, and the vendor's MSRC page could not be retrieved.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1607, Windows Server 2016 (incl. Server Core): builds 10.0.14393.0 to before 10.0.14393.9688
- Windows 10 Version 1809, Windows Server 2019 (incl. Server Core): 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
- Windows 11 Version 23H2: builds 10.0.22631.0 to before 10.0.22631.7711
- Windows 11 Version 24H2: builds 10.0.26100.0 to before 10.0.26100.9974
- Windows 11 Version 25H2: builds 10.0.26200.0 to before 10.0.26200.9974
- Windows 11 Version 26H1: builds 10.0.28000.0 to before 10.0.28000.3501
- Windows 11 Version 26H2: builds 10.0.26300.0 to before 10.0.26300.9974
- Windows Server 2022: builds 10.0.20348.0 to before 10.0.20348.5870
Fixed in
Fixed in the builds listed above and later, according to the CVE record. The KB article number is unknown.
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor mitigation guidance was found for this CVE.
Exploitation
Unknown. Exploitation status, public disclosure and proof-of-concept availability could not be verified.
Our recommendation
- Open the MSRC advisory for CVE-2026-116928 and confirm the affected builds, fix and CVSS vector.
- Apply the November 2026 cumulative update to Windows clients and servers, starting with servers and hosts with broad network access.
- If no fix is available, consider temporarily disabling the Windows Search service (WSearch) on hosts that do not need it, after confirming this with the vendor.
- Monitor for proof-of-concept code or exploitation reports and re-assess the rating once vendor data is confirmed.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Critical
- Impact
- Remote code execution – Microsoft Windows Search Component
- Status on Patch Tuesday
- Neither exploited nor publicly disclosed
- Exploitability assessment
- Exploitation less likely
- Product family
- Windows, Windows ESU (Extended Security Updates)
- Updates (KB)
- KB5132061, KB5132043, KB5131085, KB5131090, KB5131096, KB5131080
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-116928 msrc.microsoft.com
- Microsoft Security Update Guide msrc.microsoft.com
- Trinetriops: Patch Tuesday November 2026 trinetriops.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 10 Nov 2026, 20:22.
Original description (NVD)
Out-of-bounds write in Microsoft Windows Search Component allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code 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.
Affected? We can help.
We check whether your systems are affected, install updates and close the gap – continuously with the System Health Checker if you wish.