# CVE-2026-119943: Microsoft Windows Search Component buffer over-read privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-119943-buffer-over-read-in-microsoft-windows-search-component-allows-an  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-11-10. Updated: 2026-11-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-119943 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-11-10

Microsoft Windows Search is a built-in component that indexes and searches files on Windows systems. A buffer over-read vulnerability in this component allows an authorized local user to escalate their privileges to a higher level of system access, potentially gaining full control of the machine.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Search Component](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-search-component). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-119943 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-119943 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-119943?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 10 November 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Search Component.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-119943?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-119943 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-119943?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Search Component. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A buffer over-read flaw exists in the Windows Search Component that can be exploited by an authenticated local attacker to achieve privilege escalation. The vulnerability requires the attacker to already have local access to the system. A fix is available from Microsoft.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Search Component

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-119943](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-119943)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows Search Component absolute path traversal](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-119954-absolute-path-traversal-in-microsoft-windows-search-component)
- [Microsoft Windows Search Component symlink privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96911-improper-link-resolution-before-file-access-link-following-in)
- [Microsoft Windows Search Component heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85869-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-microsoft-windows-search-component)
- [Microsoft Windows Search Component heap buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83725-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-microsoft-windows-search-component)
- [Microsoft Windows Search Component link following privilege elevation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83704-improper-link-resolution-before-file-access-link-following-in)