Windows Kernel: Out-of-bounds read allows privilege escalation with physical access
Summary
Microsoft has fixed an out-of-bounds read in the Windows kernel that allows privilege escalation. An attacker with physical access to a device, for example a stolen or unattended laptop, can gain higher privileges. The CVE record does not require credentials for this (PR:N). The flaw affects supported Windows 10, Windows 11 and Windows Server versions. No exploitation and no public proof of concept are known.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1607 and Windows Server 2016 (incl. Server Core): builds before 10.0.14393.9688
- Windows 10 Version 1809 and Windows Server 2019 (incl. Server Core): builds before 10.0.17763.9487
- Windows 10 Version 21H2: builds before 10.0.19044.7846
- Windows 10 Version 22H2: builds before 10.0.19045.7846
- Windows 11 Version 23H2: builds before 10.0.22631.7711
- Windows 11 Version 24H2: build before 10.0.26100.9974 (conflicting data, to be verified on MSRC)
- Windows 11 Version 25H2: builds before 10.0.26200.9974
- Windows 11 Version 26H1: builds before 10.0.28000.3501
- Windows 11 Version 26H2: builds before 10.0.26300.9974
- Windows Server 2022: builds before 10.0.20348.5870
Fixed in
- Security update of November 2026 (Patch Tuesday, 10 Nov 2026) for the listed builds
- Third-party sources name KB5131085 (Windows 10 1809, Server 2019) and KB5132061 (Windows 11 24H2/25H2/26H2); these are not yet verified on MSRC
Workaround
- No vendor workaround known. Install the patch.
- General hardening against physical access (not a vendor workaround): BitLocker with TPM and PIN, Secure Boot, DMA protection, automatic screen lock.
Exploitation
- No exploitation in the wild known.
- Not listed in CISA KEV in the sources reviewed.
- No public proof of concept found.
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, not automatable, total technical impact.
Our recommendation
- Install the November 2026 cumulative update on all Windows clients and servers in the normal patch cycle.
- Verify the fixed build for each OS version on MSRC before rollout.
- Verify BitLocker coverage on laptops and mobile devices.
- Lock unattended sessions and secure shared devices in reception and production areas.
- Servers in locked server rooms: lower priority, but still patch.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Elevation of privilege – Windows Kernel
- Status on Patch Tuesday
- Neither exploited nor publicly disclosed
- Exploitability assessment
- Exploitation unlikely
- 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
- CVE record (Microsoft CNA) www.cve.org
- Microsoft Security Update Guide msrc.microsoft.com
- Strix CVE summary (third party) www.strix.ai
- Senserva KB5131085 (third party) senserva.com
- Senserva KB5132061 (third party) senserva.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, 10:41.
Original description (NVD)
Out-of-bounds read in Windows Kernel allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges with a physical attack.
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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