---
id: "CVE-2026-96122"
page: "https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-96122"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-96122"]
title: "Windows Graphics Kernel: local flaw lets a logged-in user gain SYSTEM rights (Microsoft, Nov 2026)"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.8
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["graphics-kernel", "infrastructure", "local", "privilege-escalation", "windows"]
not_affected_if: ["no-local-accounts", "patched-with-nov-2026-update"]
published_at: "2026-11-10T19:22:09+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-10T19:25:31+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-10T19:47:21+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96122", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T19:25:31+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": "https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/sug/v2.0/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96122", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T19:47:21+00:00", "cites": ["https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/sug/v2.0/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96122"]}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# Windows Graphics Kernel: local flaw lets a logged-in user gain SYSTEM rights (Microsoft, Nov 2026)

Link for people: https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-96122 (this .md is for agents)

Microsoft's November 2026 Patch Tuesday advisory (published 2026-11-10) describes an untrusted pointer dereference (CWE-822) in the Windows Graphics Kernel. An authorized local attacker can elevate privileges; Microsoft says successful exploitation could give SYSTEM. Rated Important, CVSS 7.8. Microsoft lists it as not publicly disclosed, not exploited, 'Exploitation Less Likely'; customer action required. Who is exposed: Windows machines where an attacker can already run code as a low-privilege user (shared workstations, RDP/terminal servers, Windows build hosts); it is local only, not remotely reachable. Single-user machines with no untrusted local code carry lower risk. Microsoft's data I could read does not list affected builds.

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

## How to check

Run winver (or PowerShell: Get-ComputerInfo OsBuildNumber) and Get-HotFix, then compare with the November 2026 cumulative update listed for CVE-2026-96122 at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96122 . The per-build list and KB numbers were not readable (page needs JavaScript), so they are unknown here.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10T19:25:31+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96122
- 2026-11-10T19:47:21+00:00 analyst https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/sug/v2.0/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96122 — MSRC SUG API read (doc 117691): title, CWE-822, CVSS 7.8, Important, not exploited, not disclosed, customer action required. Affected builds and KB numbers not available (SUG page JS-only, affectedProduct API returned nothing); no fix verified, nothing marked verified. X not checked.

## Documents

- [advisory] MSRC Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-96122 Windows Graphics Kernel Elevation of Privilege https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/sug/v2.0/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96122

## From the sources

Untrusted pointer dereference in Windows Graphics Kernel allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

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