Windows Message Queuing: Local privilege escalation via pointer dereference
Summary
Microsoft has published CVE-2026-119833 for Windows Message Queuing (MSMQ). An untrusted pointer dereference (CWE-822) allows an authorised local user to elevate privileges. Exploitation requires an existing foothold on the machine, high attack complexity and low privileges. The flaw is only relevant on systems where the optional MSMQ component is installed.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1607 (below 10.0.14393.9688)
- Windows 10 Version 1809 (below 10.0.17763.9487)
- Windows 10 Version 21H2 (below 10.0.19044.7846)
- Windows 10 Version 22H2 (below 10.0.19045.7846)
- Windows 11 Version 23H2 (below 10.0.22631.7711)
- Windows 11 Version 24H2 (below 10.0.26100.9974)
- Windows 11 Version 25H2 (below 10.0.26200.9974)
- Windows 11 Version 26H1 (below 10.0.28000.3501)
- Windows 11 Version 26H2 (below 10.0.26300.9974)
- Windows Server 2016 incl. Server Core (below 10.0.14393.9688)
- Windows Server 2019 incl. Server Core (below 10.0.17763.9487)
- Windows Server 2022 (below 10.0.20348.5870)
Fixed in
- Microsoft security update of the November 2026 Patch Tuesday, delivered via Windows Update, WSUS or Intune.
- Exact KB numbers: Unknown. Check the MSRC advisory.
Workaround
Unknown. No Microsoft workaround specific to this CVE was found.
- General MSMQ hardening: disable the MSMQ feature on systems where no application needs it.
Exploitation
- No known exploitation as of 2026-11-11 based on the sources reviewed.
- No public proof-of-concept exploit found.
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
- NVD status: Awaiting Analysis.
Our recommendation
- Identify hosts where MSMQ is installed (for example with Get-WindowsOptionalFeature or the software inventory).
- Apply the November 2026 security update promptly on servers and multi-user systems with MSMQ.
- Disable MSMQ on systems where it is not required.
- Check whether older Windows 10 builds (1607, 1809, 21H2) still receive security updates; plan upgrades or ESU if not.
- Monitor for local privilege escalation indicators and for updates to the MSRC advisory.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Elevation of privilege – Windows Message Queuing
- 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-2026-119833 msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE Record CVE-2026-119833 (CVE.org) www.cve.org
- Strix.ai: CVE-2026-119833 (secondary, affected list not fully verified) 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, 08:44.
Original description (NVD)
Untrusted pointer dereference in Windows Message Queuing 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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