Windows Performance Counters: Remote code execution via heap-based buffer overflow
Summary
A heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Performance Counters component allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute code over a network. According to the CVSS vector, the attack requires no privileges but does require user interaction. The CVSS base score is 8.8 (High). The MSRC advisory could not be checked in detail, so the affected builds and the interaction requirement should be verified before relying on them.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1607 and Windows Server 2016 (incl. Server Core): builds before 10.0.14393.9688
- Windows 10 Version 1809 and Windows Server 2019 (incl. Server Core): 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 2022: builds before 10.0.20348.5870
Fixed in
- Fixed builds are taken from the upper bound of the affected ranges in the CNA record: 10.0.14393.9688 (1607, Server 2016), 10.0.17763.9487 (1809, Server 2019), 10.0.19044.7846 (21H2), 10.0.19045.7846 (22H2), 10.0.22631.7711 (23H2), 10.0.26100.9974 (24H2), 10.0.26200.9974 (25H2), 10.0.28000.3501 (26H1), 10.0.26300.9974 (26H2), 10.0.20348.5870 (Server 2022)
- Confirm the KB numbers on the MSRC advisory.
Workaround
- Unknown. Check the MSRC advisory for mitigations.
Exploitation
- Unknown. No public exploitation or proof-of-concept was found at the time of writing.
Our recommendation
- Check whether affected Windows servers or clients expose the component to untrusted networks.
- Install the current Windows security update on affected builds once the fixed builds are confirmed on MSRC.
- Prioritise exposed servers and treat the update as urgent if exploitation is reported.
- Monitor the CISA KEV catalog and the NVD entry for changes.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Remote code execution – Windows Performance Counters
- 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-2026-95975 msrc.microsoft.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 10 Nov 2026, 20:54.
Original description (NVD)
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Performance Counters allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
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.