Windows HID Parser Library: Integer overflow leads to privilege escalation
Summary
An integer overflow or wraparound in the Windows HID Parser Library allows an unauthenticated attacker to elevate privileges. The attack requires physical access to the device, such as connecting a malicious USB or HID device. The CVSS base score is 6.8 (MEDIUM), with high impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1607 and Windows Server 2016 (including Server Core): builds before 10.0.14393.9688
- 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 and 26H2: builds before 10.0.26200.9974 and 10.0.26300.9974
- Windows 11 Version 26H1: builds before 10.0.28000.3501
- Windows Server 2022: builds before 10.0.20348.5870
Fixed in
Install the Microsoft security update for your Windows build. The fixed builds are the versions listed under affected or later. Exact KB numbers: Unknown.
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor workaround was identified in the sources.
Exploitation
- Exploitation status: Not known to be exploited (OffSeq).
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, not automatable, total technical impact.
- No public proof of concept or CISA KEV listing identified at publication.
Our recommendation
- Patch affected Windows systems in the normal monthly cycle, starting with Windows 10 systems still in use.
- Check whether any devices run Windows 10 1607 or 1809, which are out of support, and plan an upgrade.
- Restrict physical access to unattended devices: lock screens, avoid unattended sessions and restrict untrusted USB devices where policy allows.
- Verify exact builds against the MSRC Security Update Guide before rollout.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Elevation of privilege – HID Parser Library
- Status on Patch Tuesday
- Neither exploited nor publicly disclosed
- Exploitability assessment
- Exploitation unlikely
- 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-2026-96974 msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE Record: CVE-2026-96974 www.cve.org
- OffSeq Radar: CVE-2026-96974 radar.offseq.com
- Strix.ai: CVE-2026-96974 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, 10:32.
Original description (NVD)
Integer overflow or wraparound in HID Parser Library allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges with a physical attack.
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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