---
id: "CVE-2026-96172"
page: "https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-96172"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-96172"]
title: "Windows Desktop Window Manager: local user can gain elevated privileges"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.8
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["desktop-window-manager", "infrastructure", "local", "privilege-escalation", "windows"]
not_affected_if: ["no-local-untrusted-users"]
published_at: "2026-11-10T19:22:17+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-10T19:25:32+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-10T19:42:14+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96172", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T19:25:32+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": "https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/sug/v2.0/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96172", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T19:42:14+00:00", "cites": ["https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/sug/v2.0/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96172"]}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# Windows Desktop Window Manager: local user can gain elevated privileges

Link for people: https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-96172 (this .md is for agents)

Microsoft rates this Desktop Window Manager flaw Important (CVSS 7.8). A local attacker with a low-privileged account who exploits it could gain SYSTEM privileges. The weakness is CWE-763 (release of invalid pointer or reference). Microsoft says it is not publicly disclosed or exploited and rates exploitation less likely. It was published in the November 2026 release.

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

## How to check

Look up CVE-2026-96172 in the Microsoft Security Update Guide for your Windows version, then compare your installed cumulative update (winver or Get-HotFix) with the November 2026 update listed there. The affected builds and KB numbers were not in the data I could read, so they are unknown.

## Fix

Install the November 2026 Windows security update (Microsoft marks customer action as required). The exact KB and build numbers are unknown; the Update Guide page for this CVE lists them.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10T19:25:32+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96172
- 2026-11-10T19:42:14+00:00 analyst https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/sug/v2.0/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96172 — MSRC Update Guide API (Nov 2026 release): Important EoP, CWE-763, SYSTEM, not exploited, not publicly disclosed, Exploitation Less Likely; no build/KB list in the data I could read.

## Documents

- [advisory] MSRC: CVE-2026-96172 Desktop Window Manager Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/sug/v2.0/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96172

## From the sources

No cwe for this issue in Desktop Window Manager 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_