Microsoft Windows Kernel: Integer underflow allows local privilege escalation
Summary
An integer underflow (CWE-191) in the Windows kernel allows an authorized local user to elevate privileges. An attacker needs a low-privileged local account, and no user interaction is required. Successful exploitation would give full control over the affected host, as confidentiality, integrity and availability are all rated high. Microsoft rates the CVE 7.8 (HIGH); NVD analysis is still pending.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 21H2: 10.0.19044.0 to before 10.0.19044.7846
- Windows 10 Version 22H2: 10.0.19045.0 to before 10.0.19045.7846
- Windows 11 Version 23H2: 10.0.22631.0 to before 10.0.22631.7711
- Windows 11 Version 24H2: 10.0.26100.0 to before 10.0.26100.9974
- Windows 11 Version 25H2: 10.0.26200.0 to before 10.0.26200.9974
- Windows 11 Version 26H1: 10.0.28000.0 to before 10.0.28000.3501
- Windows 11 Version 26H2: 10.0.26300.0 to before 10.0.26300.9974
- Windows Server 2022: 10.0.20348.0 to before 10.0.20348.5870
- Windows Server 2025 (including Server Core installation): 10.0.26100.0 to before 10.0.26100.33822
Fixed in
- Install the Microsoft cumulative update for the affected versions (builds as listed above or higher).
- KB numbers: Unknown.
Workaround
- Unknown. No vendor-documented workaround found.
- General hardening: limit local logon rights, enforce least privilege, restrict untrusted code execution via application control.
Exploitation
- No exploitation in the wild known.
- No public proof-of-concept found. Microsoft rates exploit maturity as unproven (E:U).
Our recommendation
- Install the cumulative update on all affected Windows 10, Windows 11 and Server systems, starting with shared multi-user hosts and terminal servers.
- Confirm affected builds and KB numbers on the MSRC page before rollout.
- Restrict local administrator rights and prevent standard users from running unvetted programs.
- Re-check NVD and vendor status in a few days, as the CVE was published on 2026-11-10.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Elevation of privilege – Windows Kernel
- Status on Patch Tuesday
- Neither exploited nor publicly disclosed
- Exploitability assessment
- Exploitation unlikely
- Product family
- Windows, Windows ESU (Extended Security Updates)
- Updates (KB)
- KB5131096, KB5131090, KB5131087, KB5132061, KB5132043, KB5131080
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Response Center: CVE-2026-96052 msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE Record: CVE-2026-96052 www.cve.org
- Strix: CVE-2026-96052 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, 02:43.
Original description (NVD)
Integer underflow (wrap or wraparound) 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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