Microsoft Windows Graphics Kernel: Local privilege escalation via out-of-bounds read
Summary
The Windows Graphics Kernel, the kernel-mode component for display and graphics handling, contains an out-of-bounds read vulnerability. An authorized local attacker with low privileges can exploit it to elevate privileges, potentially obtaining SYSTEM rights. The attack requires local logon and high attack complexity, so the vulnerability is not directly reachable from the internet.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2
- Windows 11 Version 23H2, 24H2, 25H2, 26H1, 26H2
- Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022 (including Server Core)
- Exact builds per the MSRC advisory: unverified, the CNA record lists product ranges that must be checked on MSRC.
Fixed in
- Security update per the MSRC advisory (https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-95906). Unverified: the build numbers in the CNA record and third-party sources must be confirmed there.
Workaround
Unknown.
Exploitation
- No known exploitation in the wild and no public proof of concept at the time of research.
- CVSS exploit code maturity is 'Unproven' (E:U) in the CNA record.
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
Our recommendation
- Install the Microsoft security update for CVE-2026-95906 on all affected Windows systems, prioritising Windows 10 1607/1809/21H2 and Server 2016/2019, which often lag in patching.
- Check that the affected Windows versions are still supported before relying on them.
- Limit local accounts and restrict shared workstations and terminal servers.
- Monitor for unusual privilege changes and recheck NVD scoring and exploit status in the coming days.
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)
- KB5131291, KB5131085, KB5131096, KB5131090, KB5131087, KB5132061
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
- Strix (third-party build list) 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, 08:04.
Original description (NVD)
Out-of-bounds read 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.
Affected? We can help.
We check whether your systems are affected, install updates and close the gap – continuously with the System Health Checker if you wish.