---
id: "CVE-2026-112978"
page: "https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-112978"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-112978"]
title: "Windows Print Spooler: use-after-free lets a local user gain higher privileges"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.8
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["infrastructure", "print-spooler", "windows"]
not_affected_if: ["spooler-disabled"]
published_at: "2026-11-10T19:18:49+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-10T19:24:36+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-11T00:01:50+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-112978", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T19:24:36+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": null, "first_seen_at": "2026-11-11T00:01:50+00:00"}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# Windows Print Spooler: use-after-free lets a local user gain higher privileges

Link for people: https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-112978 (this .md is for agents)

A use-after-free flaw in the Windows Print Spooler components lets an attacker who already has a local account raise their privileges. The sources give a CVSS score of 7.8 and say nothing about a public exploit.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## How to check

- Open the MSRC Security Update Guide entry for CVE-2026-112978, find your Windows version in the affected products table and compare your build (winver) with the fixed build/KB listed there
- Check whether the Print Spooler service is running: Get-Service Spooler in PowerShell (a stopped or disabled Spooler removes the local attack surface, though the vendor has not been read on this)
- Check that the November 2026 cumulative update is installed: Get-HotFix

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10T19:24:36+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-112978
- 2026-11-11T00:01:50+00:00 analyst — Could not read the MSRC guide entry (JS-only page, CVRF API returned nothing for this CVE). Rapid7 and NVD only repeat the CVSS 7.8 local/low-privilege vector, with no KEV listing or public exploit found. Builds and fixed KB are unknown; nothing verified. Settle it by reading the MSRC entry in a browser, where the November 2026 Patch Tuesday KBs are listed.

## From the sources

Use after free in Windows Print Spooler Components allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

---

_Free to read, with fair use of about 60 pages a minute. For higher limits or API access: sales@infrastack.ai_