---
id: "CVE-2026-97013"
page: "https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-97013"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-97013"]
title: "Windows Shell: type confusion lets a local user gain higher privileges"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.8
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "Windows Shell", "fixed": [], "affected": "Windows 10 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2; Windows 11 23H2, 24H2, 25H2, 26H1, 26H2; Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025 (per Check Point; build numbers unknown)", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["infrastructure", "local", "privilege-escalation", "windows", "windows-shell"]
not_affected_if: ["no-local-accounts", "non-windows"]
published_at: "2026-11-10T19:22:23+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-10T19:25:34+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-10T19:37:40+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-97013", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T19:25:34+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": "https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/sug/v2.0/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2026-97013", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-10T19:37:40+00:00", "cites": ["https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/sug/v2.0/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2026-97013", "https://advisories.checkpoint.com/defense/advisories/public/2026/cpai-2026-17596.html/"]}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# Windows Shell: type confusion lets a local user gain higher privileges

Link for people: https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-97013 (this .md is for agents)

A type confusion flaw in Windows Shell lets a user who already has a local account gain SYSTEM privileges. Microsoft rates it Important (CVSS 7.8), not exploited and not publicly disclosed at release on 10 Nov 2026, but marks it 'Exploitation More Likely'.

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

## Affected

- vendor:Windows Shell affected Windows 10 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2; Windows 11 23H2, 24H2, 25H2, 26H1, 26H2; Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025 (per Check Point; build numbers unknown) fixed no fixed version listed

## How to check

Run winver (or PowerShell: Get-ComputerInfo OsBuildNumber) and confirm the November 2026 cumulative update is installed (Get-HotFix, or Settings > Windows Update > Update history). Find the fixed build for your Windows version in the MSRC Update Guide entry for CVE-2026-97013; the API we read did not list KB numbers.

## Fix

Install the November 2026 (2026-Nov) Windows security update for your Windows version. Specific KB and build numbers: unknown, take them from the MSRC Update Guide.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10T19:25:34+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-97013
- 2026-11-10T19:37:40+00:00 analyst https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/sug/v2.0/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2026-97013 — MSRC record (Nov 2026 release): Important, EoP to SYSTEM, not exploited, not publicly disclosed, 'Exploitation More Likely'. MSRC API gave no KB/build numbers; affected list from Check Point only (secondary), so not verified. Fix = install Nov 2026 cumulative update; exact KB unknown.

## Documents

- [advisory] MSRC: Windows Shell Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability CVE-2026-97013 https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/sug/v2.0/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2026-97013
- [describes] Check Point CPAI-2026-17596 (CVE-2026-97013) https://advisories.checkpoint.com/defense/advisories/public/2026/cpai-2026-17596.html/

## From the sources

Access of resource using incompatible type ('type confusion') in Windows Shell 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_