Windows Kernel: Local privilege escalation via untrusted control sphere functionality
Summary
The Windows kernel includes functionality from an untrusted control sphere, which allows an authorized local attacker to elevate privileges. The attacker needs a valid low-privilege account on the system and no user interaction is required. Successful exploitation would give the attacker high impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability of the affected system.
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: range not confirmed in the CVE record retrieved; verify with MSRC before relying on it
- Windows 10 and Windows Server editions: Unknown.
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
- Expected in the November 2026 cumulative update (not yet confirmed by a Microsoft release note)
- Windows 26H2 and other editions: Unknown.
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor workaround has been identified. Installing the security update is the expected remedy.
Exploitation
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation none, not automatable, total technical impact.
- CVSS exploit code maturity is Unproven (E:U); no public proof of concept is known.
- Not listed as known exploited at the time of research; NVD analysis is pending.
Our recommendation
- Install the November 2026 cumulative update on affected Windows 11 systems and check the MSRC advisory for Windows 10 and Server editions.
- Prioritise multi-user systems such as Remote Desktop/terminal servers, shared workstations and file servers.
- Until patched, restrict local logon rights and keep endpoint protection active.
- Recheck exploitation status after NVD analysis and CISA KEV updates.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- MSRC Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-96129 msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE Record: CVE-2026-96129 www.cve.org
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, 02:33.
Original description (NVD)
Inclusion of functionality from untrusted control sphere 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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