Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers: Local privilege escalation via pointer dereference
Summary
An untrusted pointer dereference in the Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers allows an authorized local user to elevate privileges. The attacker needs a valid user account and a foothold on the affected machine, and the attack complexity is high. Successful exploitation would give the attacker full control over confidentiality, integrity and availability on that system.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1607: 10.0.14393.0 to before 10.0.14393.9688
- Windows 10 Version 1809: 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 2016 (including Server Core): 10.0.14393.0 to before 10.0.14393.9688
- Windows Server 2019 (including Server Core): 10.0.17763.0 to before 10.0.17763.9487
- Windows Server 2022: 10.0.20348.0 to before 10.0.20348.5870
Fixed in
- Install the November 2026 cumulative security update for each affected build (Patch Tuesday, 2026-11-10).
- Exact KB numbers per build are not confirmed in the sources; check the MSRC advisory.
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor workaround was found.
Exploitation
- Microsoft assesses exploit code maturity as Unproven at publication.
- No evidence of exploitation in the wild and no public proof-of-concept found.
- Not listed in CISA KEV at the time of research.
- CISA SSVC: Automatable: no, Technical Impact: total.
Our recommendation
- Apply the November 2026 Windows security update on all affected workstations and servers within the normal monthly patch cycle.
- Prioritise multi-user systems such as terminal, RDP and file servers.
- Restrict local logon and interactive access, apply least privilege, and keep EDR active.
- Monitor the NVD entry and CISA KEV for changes in exploitation status.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Elevation of privilege – Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers
- 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-2026-96139 msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE.org record CVE-2026-96139 (Microsoft CNA) www.cve.org
- Strix: CVE-2026-96139 (secondary tracker) www.strix.ai
- Senserva: KB5131090 (secondary, not verified for this CVE) senserva.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 11 Nov 2026, 07:37.
Original description (NVD)
Untrusted pointer dereference in Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers 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.
Affected? We can help.
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