CVE-2026-116928: Windows Search Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2026-116928 is a remote code execution vulnerability in Windows Search, rated Critical by Microsoft, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 (Critical). An attacker can exploit it remotely over the network, without any privileges and without user interaction. Microsoft has not reported exploitation in the wild and rates exploitation as less likely. Microsoft released the fix on 10 November 2026 in the November 2026 Patch Tuesday, delivered through 10 security updates (KB5132061, KB5132043, KB5131085, KB5131090 and more). It affects 28 products in 2 product families (Windows, ESU).
Key facts
- CVE ID
- CVE-2026-116928
- Severity
- Critical CVSS 9.8
- Microsoft severity
- Critical
- Impact
- Remote Code Execution
- Exploited in the wild
- No
- Publicly disclosed
- No
- Exploitation likelihood
- Less Likely
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Released
- Last updated
- Patch Tuesday
- November 2026 Patch Tuesday
- Product families
- Windows, ESU
From the November 2026 Patch Tuesday briefing
Windows Search code execution
Windows Search has a critical remote code execution flaw affecting Windows and ESU. Exploitation is possible over the network without sign-in or user action, so patch applicability should be checked across both product groups. Microsoft rates exploitation less likely. The weakness is CWE-787, out-of-bounds write. CVSS: 9.8, vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C.
From the briefing, written by an AI model from PatchaPalooza's data.
CVSS score and vector
Microsoft scores CVE-2026-116928 at 9.8 (temporal 8.5) using CVSS 3.1. Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Attack vector | Network |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges required | None |
| User interaction | None |
| Scope | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality impact | High |
| Integrity impact | High |
| Availability impact | High |
| Exploit code maturity | Unproven |
| Remediation level | Official fix |
| Report confidence | Confirmed |
Description
Out-of-bounds write in Microsoft Windows Search Component allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
Frequently asked questions (Microsoft)
How could an attacker exploit this vulnerability?
An unauthenticated attacker could exploit the Windows Search component used by Microsoft Exchange Server by sending an email containing a specially crafted attachment. Exchange automatically processes the attachment for indexing, so the recipient does not need to open the email or attachment. Successful exploitation could allow the attacker to execute code with the permissions of the affected processing service.
Affected products (28)
Windows
| Product | Security update | Type | Fixed build | Restart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 Version 26H2 for ARM64-based Systems | KB5132061 KB5132043 | Security Update Security Update | 10.0.26300.9974 10.0.26300.9911 | Yes No |
| Windows 11 Version 26H2 for x64-based Systems | KB5132061 KB5132043 | Security Update Security Update | 10.0.26300.9974 10.0.26300.9911 | Yes No |
| Windows 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems | KB5131085 | Security Update | 10.0.17763.9487 | Yes |
| Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems | KB5131085 | Security Update | 10.0.17763.9487 | Yes |
| Windows Server 2019 | KB5131085 | Security Update | 10.0.17763.9487 | Yes |
| Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) | KB5131085 | Security Update | 10.0.17763.9487 | Yes |
| Windows Server 2022 | KB5131090 | Security Update | 10.0.20348.5870 | Yes |
| Windows Server 2022 (Server Core installation) | KB5131090 | Security Update | 10.0.20348.5870 | Yes |
| Windows 10 Version 21H2 for 32-bit Systems | KB5131096 | Security Update | 10.0.19044.7846 | Yes |
| Windows 10 Version 21H2 for ARM64-based Systems | KB5131096 | Security Update | 10.0.19044.7846 | Yes |
| Windows 10 Version 21H2 for x64-based Systems | KB5131096 | Security Update | 10.0.19044.7846 | Yes |
| Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) | KB5131080 KB5131077 | Security Update Security Hotpatch Update | 10.0.26100.33822 10.0.26100.33730 | Yes No |
| Windows 11 Version 25H2 for ARM64-based Systems | KB5132043 | Security Update | 10.0.26200.9911 | No |
| Windows 11 Version 25H2 for x64-based Systems | KB5132043 | Security Update | 10.0.26200.9911 | No |
| Windows 11 Version 23H2 for ARM64-based Systems | KB5131087 | Security Update | 10.0.22631.7711 | Yes |
| Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems | KB5131087 | Security Update | 10.0.22631.7711 | Yes |
| Windows 11 Version 24H2 for ARM64-based Systems | KB5132043 | Security Update | 10.0.26100.9911 | No |
| Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems | KB5132043 | Security Update | 10.0.26100.9911 | No |
| Windows Server 2025 | KB5131080 KB5131077 | Security Update Security Hotpatch Update | 10.0.26100.33822 10.0.26100.33730 | Yes No |
| Windows 11 version 26H1 for x64-based Systems | KB5132059 | Security Update | 10.0.28000.3501 | Yes |
| Windows 11 Version 26H1 for ARM64-based Systems | KB5132059 | Security Update | 10.0.28000.3501 | Yes |
ESU
| Product | Security update | Type | Fixed build | Restart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems | ||||
| Windows 10 Version 22H2 for ARM64-based Systems | ||||
| Windows 10 Version 22H2 for 32-bit Systems | ||||
| Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems | KB5131291 | Security Update | 10.0.14393.9688 | Yes |
| Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems | KB5131291 | Security Update | 10.0.14393.9688 | Yes |
| Windows Server 2016 | KB5131291 | Security Update | 10.0.14393.9688 | Yes |
| Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) | KB5131291 | Security Update | 10.0.14393.9688 | Yes |
Security updates (10)
Acknowledgments
- Jean-Jamil Khalife with HDWSec
- 41ae55e9310ff27fa6f26af4727e5590
Revision history
| Version | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Information published. |