Windows: Heap-based buffer overflow in Bind Filter Driver allows privilege escalation
Summary
Microsoft Windows contains a heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Bind Filter Driver. An attacker with local access and a low-privileged account can exploit it to elevate privileges on the affected system. Microsoft reports that the vulnerability is not publicly disclosed and not exploited, and CVSS rates it 7.8 (High).
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1809 (including Server 2019 and Server 2019 Server Core): before 10.0.17763.9376
- Windows 10 Version 21H2: before 10.0.19044.7807
- Windows 10 Version 22H2: before 10.0.19045.7807
- Windows 11 Version 23H2: before 10.0.22631.7652
- Windows 11 Version 24H2: before 10.0.26100.9711
- Windows 11 Version 25H2: before 10.0.26200.9711
- Windows 11 Version 26H1: before 10.0.28000.3231
- Windows 11 Version 26H2: before 10.0.26300.9711
- Windows Server 2022: before 10.0.20348.5761
- Windows Server 2025 (including Server Core): before 10.0.26100.33650
Fixed in
- Windows 10 Version 1809 / Server 2019: 10.0.17763.9376
- Windows 10 Version 21H2: 10.0.19044.7807
- Windows 10 Version 22H2: 10.0.19045.7807 (official CVE record; confirm on the MSRC page)
- Windows 11 Version 23H2: 10.0.22631.7652
- Windows 11 Version 24H2 / 25H2 / 26H2: 10.0.26100.9711, 10.0.26200.9711, 10.0.26300.9711
- Windows 11 Version 26H1: 10.0.28000.3231
- Windows Server 2022: 10.0.20348.5761
- Windows Server 2025: 10.0.26100.33650
- KB numbers: check the MSRC update guide
Workaround
Unknown.
Exploitation
- Not publicly disclosed and not exploited according to Microsoft.
- CISA SSVC (Vulnrichment): exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
Our recommendation
- Install the security update for each affected Windows build as soon as possible, prioritising multi-user systems, shared workstations and terminal or RDS servers.
- Limit local logons on shared systems until the patch is installed.
- Check whether Windows 10 1809 and other affected devices are still supported and on a current servicing channel.
- Verify the fixed build for your version on the MSRC update guide before rollout.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday October 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Elevation of privilege – Windows Bind Filter Driver
- Status on Patch Tuesday
- Neither exploited nor publicly disclosed
- Exploitability assessment
- Exploitation unlikely
- Product family
- Windows, Windows ESU (Extended Security Updates)
- Updates (KB)
- KB5126651, KB5126655, KB5126657, KB5126646, KB5127648, KB5126653
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Update Guide (CVE-2026-88168) msrc.microsoft.com
- Microsoft Security Update Guide, en-US (CVE-2026-88168) msrc.microsoft.com
- Vulners CVE record (CVELIST) vulners.com
- Vulners Microsoft CVE record (MS) vulners.com
- OpenCVE CVE-2026-88168 app.opencve.io
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 2 Nov 2026, 01:14.
Original description (NVD)
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Bind Filter Driver 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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