CVE-2026-95988: Windows Kernel incorrect authorization privilege escalation

CVE-2026-95988 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-11-10

The Windows Kernel contains an incorrect authorization flaw that allows a local user with basic system access to elevate their privileges to a higher level of access. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain administrator-level control of an affected system, potentially leading to data theft, malware installation, or system compromise.

Technologies: Microsoft Windows Kernel. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-95988 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-95988 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-95988?
High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 10 November 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows Kernel.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-95988?
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-2026-95988 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-95988?
Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Kernel. 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

An authorization bypass in the Windows Kernel allows a local authenticated user to escalate privileges without user interaction. The vulnerability stems from incorrect permission checks in the kernel, allowing privilege escalation from standard user to higher privilege levels. This is a local attack vector requiring prior system access.

Affected products

  • Microsoft Windows Kernel

Timeline

  • 2026-11-10: disclosed

References

This page as Markdown. Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 with a link back.