Windows Kernel: Incorrect authorization allows local privilege escalation
Summary
Incorrect authorization in the Windows Kernel allows a local user with low privileges to elevate their privileges on affected Windows 11 systems. An attacker needs a logon or code execution on the machine first, so the flaw is typically a second stage after phishing or a compromised account. Successful exploitation can lead to full control of the system (CVSS 7.8, High).
Affected
- 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.x (fixed build not confirmed)
The CVE record lists only Windows 11 entries. Check the MSRC advisory for other editions.
Fixed in
- Windows 11 24H2: build 10.0.26100.9974 or later
- Windows 11 25H2: build 10.0.26200.9974 or later
- Windows 11 26H1: build 10.0.28000.3501 or later
- Windows 11 26H2: see the MSRC advisory (build number unknown)
Security update released on 10 November 2026 (Patch Tuesday). KB numbers: Unknown.
Workaround
Unknown. No documented workaround was found.
Exploitation
- No evidence of exploitation in the wild was found.
- Microsoft temporal metric E:U (Unproven): no known exploit code.
- No public proof of concept was found.
- Not known to be listed in CISA KEV according to a third-party aggregator; verify at CISA.
Our recommendation
- Install the November 2026 cumulative update on all affected Windows 11 systems.
- Prioritise shared PCs, terminal servers and developer machines where untrusted users have local logons.
- Check the MSRC advisory for coverage of other Windows editions.
- Monitor for unusual privilege changes or new local administrator accounts until patching is complete.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Update Guide (vendor advisory) msrc.microsoft.com
- Microsoft Security Update Guide (vulnerability page) msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE Record CVE-2026-95988 (CNA: Microsoft) www.cve.org
- Third-party aggregator (NVD status and KEV flag) 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, 02:52.
Original description (NVD)
Incorrect authorization in Windows 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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