Windows Graphics Kernel: Elevation of privilege via untrusted pointer dereference

Summary

An untrusted pointer dereference in the Windows Graphics Kernel allows a local attacker with low privileges to elevate privileges to a higher level, such as SYSTEM. The attacker needs an existing local, authenticated foothold, for example from phishing, a compromised user account or malware, so this is a privilege-escalation step rather than an entry point. Microsoft's CNA record rates the CVSS 3.1 score at 7.8 (High) with full impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability. NVD analysis was still pending at the time of research.

Affected

• Windows 10 Version 1607 and Windows Server 2016 (including Server Core): 10.0.14393.0 to before 10.0.14393.9688
• Windows 10 Version 1809 and Windows Server 2019 (including Server Core): 10.0.17763.0 to before 10.0.17763.9487
• 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

Fixed in

• Per the Microsoft CNA record, the first unaffected builds are listed in the affected section above.
• The fix is expected in the November 10, 2026 security update. Exact KB article numbers are unknown and must be confirmed on the MSRC advisory page.

Workaround

• No vendor workaround found. Installing the security update is the expected remedy.
• Until patched, restrict local logon to trusted users and watch for new or unknown local accounts or processes. These are general hardening steps, not vendor guidance.

Exploitation

• No public proof-of-concept found.
• No evidence of exploitation in the wild found. Not listed in the CISA KEV entries reviewed.
• CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation none, not automatable, total technical impact.
• Microsoft exploit-maturity metrics: E:U (unproven) and RC:C (confirmed).

Our recommendation

• Check the asset inventory for affected Windows builds, prioritising multi-user systems, RDS/terminal servers and jump hosts.
• Install the November 2026 Windows cumulative update on affected systems and confirm the KB numbers on the MSRC page.
• Plan upgrades for unsupported Windows 10 1607 and 1809 systems.
• Re-check the MSRC page and CISA KEV for changes in exploitation status.
• Priority: moderate. Not an emergency unless exploitation is observed.

Public exploits iAttack code is publicly available (PoC on GitHub, Metasploit or Exploit-DB).

PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.

Research sources

• Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-96122 (MSRC) msrc.microsoft.com
• CVE Record (Microsoft CNA) www.cve.org
• CISA KEV update, 13 Oct 2026 www.cisa.gov
• Third-party aggregator (unverified version data) 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, 02:34.