Microsoft Windows: Desktop Window Manager elevation of privilege vulnerability
Summary
A local elevation of privilege vulnerability (CWE-763, invalid pointer or reference) exists in the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) component of several Windows 10, Windows 11 and Windows Server versions. An attacker with low privileges on a system can exploit it to gain higher privileges, potentially up to SYSTEM. No user interaction is required, but the attacker needs a local foothold first, so the flaw is typically used after an initial compromise.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1809 and Windows Server 2019 (including Server Core): builds before 10.0.17763.9487
- Windows 10 Version 21H2: builds before 10.0.19044.7846
- Windows 10 Version 22H2: builds before 10.0.19045.7846
- Windows 11 Version 23H2: builds before 10.0.22631.7711
- Windows 11 Version 24H2: builds before 10.0.26100.9974
- Windows 11 Version 25H2: builds before 10.0.26200.9974
- Windows 11 Version 26H2: builds before 10.0.26300.9974
- Windows Server 2022: builds before 10.0.20348.5870
- Windows Server 2025 (including Server Core): builds before 10.0.26100.33822
Fixed in
Fixed in the Microsoft November 2026 security updates (Patch Tuesday). Install the cumulative update for your build. KB numbers: see the MSRC advisory.
Workaround
Unknown.
Exploitation
- Not known to be exploited at the time of publication.
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
- No public proof-of-concept found.
Our recommendation
- Confirm the affected Windows builds in your asset inventory, with priority on servers and multi-user systems such as RDS or terminal servers.
- Install the November 2026 cumulative update on all affected systems and verify the installation.
- Check the lifecycle status of older builds such as 1809 and 21H2, since they may no longer receive general support.
- Monitor the MSRC advisory and CISA KEV for reports of exploitation.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Elevation of privilege – Desktop Window Manager
- Status on Patch Tuesday
- Neither exploited nor publicly disclosed
- Exploitability assessment
- Exploitation less likely
- Product family
- Windows, Windows ESU (Extended Security Updates)
- Updates (KB)
- KB5131085, KB5131090, KB5131096, KB5131080, KB5131077, KB5132061
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Response Center: CVE-2026-96174 msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE Record CVE-2026-96174 www.cve.org
- BleepingComputer: Microsoft November 2026 Patch Tuesday www.bleepingcomputer.com
- Zero Day Initiative: November 2026 Security Update Review www.zerodayinitiative.com
- OffSeq Radar: CVE-2026-96174 radar.offseq.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, 02:27.
Original description (NVD)
Release of invalid pointer or reference in Desktop Window Manager 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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