Windows Push Notifications: Heap buffer overflow allows local privilege escalation
Summary
A heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Push Notifications component allows an attacker with low privileges to elevate their privileges on the local system. The attack requires local access and an existing low-privilege account or code execution, and no user interaction is needed. The flaw is not internet-facing, but it can serve as a second step after phishing or stolen credentials.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1607 (builds before 10.0.14393.9688)
- Windows 10 Version 1809 (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 (builds before 10.0.26100.9974)
- 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 2016 incl. Server Core (builds before 10.0.14393.9688)
- Windows Server 2019 incl. Server Core (builds before 10.0.17763.9487)
- Windows Server 2022 (builds before 10.0.20348.5870)
Fixed in
- Security updates from Microsoft's November 2026 Patch Tuesday (released 10 November 2026), with the build numbers listed above as the minimum fixed versions per the CVE record
- KB article numbers: Unknown (not verified against the MSRC advisory)
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor workaround or mitigation is known. Patching is the documented fix.
Exploitation
- Exploited in the wild: no evidence for this CVE. CISA SSVC lists exploitation as none.
- Public disclosure before the patch: none reported for this release.
- Public proof of concept: unknown. The CVSS vector marks exploit code maturity as unproven (E:U).
Our recommendation
- Install the November 2026 security updates on all affected Windows 10, 11 and Server systems within the regular Patch Tuesday cycle, and prioritise shared workstations and systems used by many users.
- Verify that each system runs a Windows version that still receives security updates; the support status of Windows 10 1607, 1809, 21H2 and 22H2 was not verified.
- Restrict local logon rights and apply least privilege.
- Monitor for unusual privilege changes on endpoints, for example with EDR.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Elevation of privilege – Windows Push Notifications
- 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-2026-95881 msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE Record CVE-2026-95881 (Microsoft CNA) www.cve.org
- Strix: CVE-2026-95881 (third-party tracker) www.strix.ai
- Qualys: Microsoft Patch Tuesday November 2026 review blog.qualys.com
- Redmondmag: November 2026 Patch Tuesday redmondmag.com
- Vulners: related October 2026 CVE-2026-83867 (same component) vulners.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, 03:07.
Original description (NVD)
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Push Notifications 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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