Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessObtain local authenticated foothold
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DeliveryInvoke crafted Win32k syscall
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ExploitTrigger kernel buffer over-read
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ExecutionRead out-of-bounds kernel memory
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ImpactDisclose sensitive kernel data
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Buffer over-read prevention
|
| Exploitation Conditions | Exploitation requires the attacker to already hold a local, authenticated foothold on the target Windows system (PR:L, AV:L) - a standard or low-privileged user session is sufficient, but remote or unauthenticated exploitation is not possible. The flaw resides in the Win32k (Win32 Kernel) subsystem, which is present by default on affected Windows 10 (21H2/22H2, 1809), Windows 11 23H2, and Windows Server 2019/2022/2025 builds below the patched versions, so no non-default feature or special configuration is needed to reach the vulnerable code. Limiting factors: the local-access prerequisite rules out network attackers, no user interaction is required (UI:N), and the impact is confined to information disclosure (C:H, I:N, A:N) with no scope change (S:U), so by itself it cannot alter or crash the system. Patched builds (e.g., 10.0.19044.7807, 10.0.22631.7652, 10.0.26100.33650) close the issue. |
| Impact | This is a moderate-severity, low-priority issue despite the CVSS 5.5 base score, and the multiple signals are consistent rather than conflicting. The CVSS vector (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N) describes a local attack requiring existing authenticated access (PR:L), with confidentiality-only impact - no integrity or availability loss. CISA's SSVC decision framework reinforces low urgency: Exploitation 'none' (no observed or public exploitation), Automatable 'no' (local access precludes mass automation), and Technical Impact 'partial'. There is no CISA KEV listing, no public POC, and no EPSS score provided in the input, so there is no signal pointing to active or imminent exploitation. The one point of emphasis is C:H: a buffer over-read in the Win32k kernel subsystem can leak sensitive kernel memory that may defeat KASLR and aid a secondary privilege-escalation exploit, so its real value to an attacker is as a chaining primitive rather than a standalone breach. Net: a genuine but low-priority patch item - a real vulnerability in a ubiquitous product, but one that requires a local authenticated foothold and yields only information disclosure, so it ranks well below remotely exploitable or wormable flaws. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker who already has a low-privileged authenticated session on a Windows host (e.g., a standard user account or malware running in a normal user context) invokes a crafted call into the Win32k kernel subsystem that triggers the buffer over-read, causing the kernel to return adjacent out-of-bounds memory. The leaked kernel data (such as pointers or KASLR-defeating addresses) is then used to inform a follow-on local privilege-escalation exploit. No public exploit code is identified at time of analysis, and no user interaction is required (UI:N). |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Oct 13, 2026
Information disclosure in Windows Win32k permits a local, authenticated attacker with a standard user session to read kernel memory contents that should be inaccessible, potentially exposing sensitive data. Affected systems include unpatched Windows 10 21H2/22H2/1809, Windows 11 23H2, and Windows Server 2019, 2022, and 2025 builds prior to the listed fixed versions; the flaw is a buffer over-read (CWE-126) requiring local access (AV:L) and low privileges (PR:L), with no remote vector and no user interaction. Vendor patches are available, and no public exploit has been identified at time of analysis; risk is moderate and low-priority despite the CVSS 5.5 base score because confidentiality impact is high but integrity and availability are unaffected.
RemediationAI
Vendor-released patches are available from Microsoft: update Windows 10 21H2/22H2 to 10.0.19044.7807, Windows 11 23H2 to 10.0.22631.7652, Windows 10 1809 and Windows Server 2019 to 10.0.17763.9376, Windows Server 2022 to 10.0.20348.5761, and Windows Server 2025 to 10.0.26100.33650; see the Microsoft Update Guide at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96848 for the authoritative package details. Because exploitation requires local authenticated access, no network-level workaround exists; if patching must be delayed, restrict interactive logon and local execution to trusted users, remove unnecessary low-privileged local accounts, enforce least privilege and application allowlisting, and monitor for anomalous Win32k memory-disclosure behavior. These compensating controls reduce exposure but do not eliminate the flaw and may affect administrative usability, so patching remains the primary remediation.
Affected VersionsENISA
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 9 packages in euvd
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Technical ContextAI · show details
Win32k, also called the Win32 Kernel Subsystem, is a core Windows kernel component that exposes window management, graphics device interface, and related user-mode callable services. CWE-126 describes a buffer over-read: the code reads beyond the end of an allocated buffer, returning adjacent memory contents to the caller instead of limiting the read to the intended structure. In this case, a local low-privileged process can invoke Win32k system calls and trigger the over-read, causing kernel memory disclosure. The assessed vector is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, meaning exploitation requires an existing local authenticated foothold, needs no user interaction, and cannot by itself modify or crash the system. EUVD lists affected Windows builds below fixed thresholds, including Windows 10 21H2/22H2/1809, Windows 11 23H2, and Windows Server 2019/2022/2025, so no non-default feature is needed to reach the vulnerable code.
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Severity by source
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Local attack from an authenticated low-privileged session (AV:L, PR:L); straightforward over-read (AC:L) that leaks kernel memory (C:H) with no integrity or availability impact.
Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft).
CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionCVE.org
Buffer over-read in Windows Win32 Kernel Subsystem allows an authorized attacker to disclose information locally.
Threat Intelligence Overview
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
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EUVD-2026-99775
GHSA-3wf9-2xxc-x6xh
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
Vulnrichment
Exploit-DB