CVE-2026-96171: Windows Graphics Kernel use-after-free privilege escalation

CVE-2026-96171 · Severity: high · CVSS 7 · Published 2026-11-10

Windows Graphics Kernel contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows an authorized local user to elevate their privileges to a higher level of system access. An attacker with valid credentials could exploit this flaw to gain administrative or system-level control over a Windows computer.

Technologies: Microsoft Windows. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-96171 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96171 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-96171?
High severity, with a CVSS score of 7, published 10 November 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96171?
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-2026-96171 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-96171?
Check whether you run Microsoft Windows. 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 use-after-free flaw in the Windows Graphics Kernel allows a locally authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability requires the attacker to already have valid user-level access to the system. Exploitation would result in privilege escalation from user to administrator or system level.

Affected products

  • Microsoft Windows

Timeline

  • 2026-11-10: disclosed

References

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