Microsoft Windows Search Component: Buffer over-read allows local privilege escalation
Summary
Microsoft Windows Search Component contains a buffer over-read (CWE-126) that allows an authorized local user to elevate privileges. An attacker needs an existing low-privileged account or foothold on the system, for example from phishing or malware running as a standard user, and the flaw is not directly reachable from the network. Successful exploitation can give the attacker full control of the affected system.
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
- Windows 10 and older builds: Unknown, not listed in the sources reviewed.
Fixed in
- Fixed builds according to the CNA range data: Windows 11 24H2 10.0.26100.9974, 25H2 10.0.26200.9974, 26H1 10.0.28000.3501, 26H2 10.0.26300.9974, Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.33822, or later.
- Matching update KB number for this CVE: Unknown. Verify on the MSRC advisory.
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor workaround identified. Installing the security update is the recommended remedy.
Exploitation
- No confirmed exploitation in the wild found.
- No public proof of concept found.
- Not listed in CISA KEV according to one aggregator; verify in the CISA catalogue.
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
Our recommendation
- Install the November 2026 cumulative updates on Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 systems, starting with workstations and terminal or file servers.
- Verify the affected versions and the KB mapping on the MSRC advisory before rollout.
- Limit local accounts and administrative rights, and monitor endpoints for unusual privilege changes.
- Check NVD and the CISA KEV catalogue for updates once analysis is complete.
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 Response Center: CVE-2026-119943 msrc.microsoft.com
- Strix: CVE-2026-119943 www.strix.ai
- Senserva: KB5132059 senserva.com
- Rescana: Microsoft Patch Tuesday November 2026 www.rescana.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, 03:36.
Original description (NVD)
Buffer over-read in Microsoft Windows Search Component 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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