Microsoft Windows Graphics Kernel: Heap buffer overflow leads to privilege escalation
Summary
A heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Graphics Kernel allows a local attacker with a standard user account to elevate privileges. Successful exploitation could give the attacker SYSTEM-level control and full compromise of the affected host. The attack complexity is high and the flaw is not reachable from the internet, so it is mainly a second-stage risk after an initial foothold.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1809 (10.0.17763.0 before 10.0.17763.9487)
- Windows 10 Version 21H2 (10.0.19044.0 before 10.0.19044.7846)
- Windows 10 Version 22H2 (10.0.19045.0 before 10.0.19045.7846)
- Windows 11 Version 23H2 (10.0.22631.0 before 10.0.22631.7711)
- Windows 11 Version 24H2 (10.0.26100.0 before 10.0.26100.9974)
- Windows 11 Version 25H2 (10.0.26200.0 before 10.0.26200.9974)
- Windows 11 Version 26H1 (10.0.28000.0 before 10.0.28000.3501)
- Windows 11 Version 26H2 (10.0.26300.0 before 10.0.26300.9974)
- Windows Server 2019, including Server Core (10.0.17763.0 before 10.0.17763.9487)
- Windows Server 2022 (10.0.20348.0 before 10.0.20348.5870)
- Windows Server 2025, including Server Core (10.0.26100.0 before 10.0.26100.33822)
Fixed in
Install the November 2026 security update for each affected Windows branch. Fixed builds according to the CNA record: 10.0.17763.9487, 10.0.19044.7846, 10.0.19045.7846, 10.0.22631.7711, 10.0.26100.9974, 10.0.26200.9974, 10.0.28000.3501, 10.0.26300.9974, 10.0.20348.5870 and 10.0.26100.33822 (Server 2025). Verify the builds against the MSRC advisory before rollout.
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor-documented workaround is known. Patching is the primary remediation.
Exploitation
- Not known to be exploited in the wild at the time of writing.
- Not listed in the CISA KEV catalog as of the sources reviewed.
- No public proof of concept found.
- NVD analysis was still pending at the time of writing.
Our recommendation
- Install the November 2026 Windows security update on all affected endpoints and servers, prioritising multi-user terminal servers and shared workstations.
- Check Windows 10 1809 LTSC devices, including OT and specialist systems, first, and make sure Windows 10 22H2 systems are covered by Extended Security Updates.
- Monitor for unusual SYSTEM-level process creation from user sessions.
- Re-check the NVD and CISA KEV status after publication.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Elevation of privilege – Windows Graphics Kernel
- Status on Patch Tuesday
- Neither exploited nor publicly disclosed
- Exploitability assessment
- Exploitation less likely
- Product family
- Windows, Windows ESU (Extended Security Updates)
- Updates (KB)
- KB5131085, KB5131096, KB5131090, KB5131087, KB5132061, KB5132043
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- CVE record (CNA: Microsoft) www.cve.org
- MSRC Security Update Guide msrc.microsoft.com
- VulDB vuldb.com
- CISA KEV alert (13 Oct 2026) www.cisa.gov
- November 2026 update summary (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, 08:04.
Original description (NVD)
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Graphics Kernel 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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