---
id: "CVE-2026-119953"
page: "https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-119953"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-119953"]
title: "Windows DNS: use-after-free lets a local user gain SYSTEM privileges"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.8
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "Windows 10 1607 / Windows Server 2016", "fixed": ["10.0.14393.9688"], "affected": "< 10.0.14393.9688", "ecosystem": "microsoft"}, {"name": "Windows 10 1809 / Windows Server 2019", "fixed": ["10.0.17763.9487"], "affected": "< 10.0.17763.9487", "ecosystem": "microsoft"}, {"name": "Windows 10 21H2", "fixed": ["10.0.19044.7846"], "affected": "< 10.0.19044.7846", "ecosystem": "microsoft"}, {"name": "Windows 10 22H2", "fixed": ["10.0.19045.7846"], "affected": "< 10.0.19045.7846", "ecosystem": "microsoft"}, {"name": "Windows Server 2022", "fixed": ["10.0.20348.5870"], "affected": "< 10.0.20348.5870", "ecosystem": "microsoft"}, {"name": "Windows 11 23H2", "fixed": ["10.0.22631.7711"], "affected": "< 10.0.22631.7711", "ecosystem": "microsoft"}, {"name": "Windows 11 24H2", "fixed": ["10.0.26100.9974"], "affected": "< 10.0.26100.9974", "ecosystem": "microsoft"}, {"name": "Windows 11 25H2", "fixed": ["10.0.26200.9974"], "affected": "< 10.0.26200.9974", "ecosystem": "microsoft"}, {"name": "Windows 11 26H1", "fixed": ["10.0.28000.3501"], "affected": "< 10.0.28000.3501", "ecosystem": "microsoft"}, {"name": "Windows 11 26H2", "fixed": ["10.0.26300.9974"], "affected": "< 10.0.26300.9974", "ecosystem": "microsoft"}, {"name": "Windows Server 2025", "fixed": ["10.0.26100.33822"], "affected": "< 10.0.26100.33822", "ecosystem": "microsoft"}]
ecosystems: []
tags: ["infrastructure", "privilege-escalation", "self-hosted", "windows", "windows-dns", "windows-server"]
not_affected_if: ["no-local-untrusted-users", "patched"]
published_at: "2026-11-10T19:20:19+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-10T19:25:04+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-10T22:15:35+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-119953", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T19:25:04+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": "https://cveawg.mitre.org/api/cve/CVE-2026-119953", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T22:15:35+00:00", "cites": ["https://cveawg.mitre.org/api/cve/CVE-2026-119953", "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-119953"]}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# Windows DNS: use-after-free lets a local user gain SYSTEM privileges

Link for people: https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-119953 (this .md is for agents)

A use-after-free bug in Windows DNS lets an attacker who already has authorized access on the machine raise their privileges. The attacker gets higher-level control of the affected Windows system.

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

## Affected

- microsoft:Windows 10 1607 / Windows Server 2016 affected < 10.0.14393.9688 fixed 10.0.14393.9688
- microsoft:Windows 10 1809 / Windows Server 2019 affected < 10.0.17763.9487 fixed 10.0.17763.9487
- microsoft:Windows 10 21H2 affected < 10.0.19044.7846 fixed 10.0.19044.7846
- microsoft:Windows 10 22H2 affected < 10.0.19045.7846 fixed 10.0.19045.7846
- microsoft:Windows Server 2022 affected < 10.0.20348.5870 fixed 10.0.20348.5870
- microsoft:Windows 11 23H2 affected < 10.0.22631.7711 fixed 10.0.22631.7711
- microsoft:Windows 11 24H2 affected < 10.0.26100.9974 fixed 10.0.26100.9974
- microsoft:Windows 11 25H2 affected < 10.0.26200.9974 fixed 10.0.26200.9974
- microsoft:Windows 11 26H1 affected < 10.0.28000.3501 fixed 10.0.28000.3501
- microsoft:Windows 11 26H2 affected < 10.0.26300.9974 fixed 10.0.26300.9974
- microsoft:Windows Server 2025 affected < 10.0.26100.33822 fixed 10.0.26100.33822

## How to check

Run winver or [System.Environment]::OSVersion / (Get-ItemProperty 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion').CurrentBuildNumber and UBR, and compare the full build (10.0.<build>.<UBR>) with the fixed builds in the fix field. A lower build is affected. Microsoft's record lists Windows client and Server builds without saying the DNS Server role is required; the role (Get-WindowsFeature DNS) is where it matters most, but client builds are also listed.

## Fix

Install the November 2026 Windows cumulative update that brings your build to at least: Server 2016 / Win10 1607 10.0.14393.9688; Server 2019 / Win10 1809 10.0.17763.9487; Win10 21H2 10.0.19044.7846; Win10 22H2 10.0.19045.7846; Server 2022 10.0.20348.5870; Win11 23H2 10.0.22631.7711; Win11 24H2 10.0.26100.9974; Win11 25H2 10.0.26200.9974; Win11 26H1 10.0.28000.3501; Win11 26H2 10.0.26300.9974; Server 2025 10.0.26100.33822. KB numbers not read; look them up in the MSRC page.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10T19:25:04+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-119953
- 2026-11-10T22:15:35+00:00 analyst https://cveawg.mitre.org/api/cve/CVE-2026-119953 — Read Microsoft's CNA CVE record (cveawg): affected/fixed builds for 11 product lines, CVSS 7.8 AV:L PR:L, CISA SSVC exploitation none. MSRC page itself not readable by the tool, so KB numbers and DNS-role requirement unconfirmed; how_to_check/who_affected not verified. No exploitation or PoC found; no social search done (new, low-profile).

## Documents

- [advisory] CVE-2026-119953 CVE record published by Microsoft (CNA): affected builds and fixed builds https://cveawg.mitre.org/api/cve/CVE-2026-119953
- [fix] MSRC Security Update Guide: Windows DNS Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (CVE-2026-119953), not readable by the tool (JS page) https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-119953

## From the sources

Use after free in Windows DNS 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_