CVE-2026-88189: CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809
Description
CVE-2026-88189 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) Core Library affecting Windows 10 Version 1809 and later builds. This flaw allows an authorized local attacker to elevate privileges on the affected system. The vulnerability has a high severity rating with a CVSS score of 7.8. Microsoft has released official fixes addressing this issue in multiple Windows 10 builds.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.8high
Affected software
Microsoft
Windows 10 Version 1809
Microsoft
Windows 10 Version 21H2
Microsoft
Windows 10 Version 22H2
Microsoft
Windows 11 version 23H2
Microsoft
Windows 11 Version 23H2
Microsoft
Windows 11 Version 24H2
Microsoft
Windows 11 Version 25H2
Microsoft
Windows 11 Version 26H2
Microsoft
Windows Server 2019
Microsoft
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
Microsoft
Windows Server 2022
Microsoft
Windows Server 2025
Microsoft
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation)
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability (CVE-2026-88189) involves an out-of-bounds read in the Windows DWM Core Library, which can be exploited by an authorized local attacker to elevate privileges. The affected versions include multiple Windows 10 builds starting from 10.0.17763.0 up to but not including various patched builds such as 10.0.17763.9376 and others. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating high severity with local attack vector, low attack complexity, and no user interaction required. Microsoft has published an official fix for this vulnerability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an authorized local attacker to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to full control over the affected system. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated high according to the CVSS vector.
Mitigation Recommendations
Microsoft has released official patches that address this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the updates provided by Microsoft for the affected Windows 10 versions to remediate this issue. Since an official fix is available, deploying these patches is the primary mitigation step.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- microsoft
- Date Reserved
- 2026-09-09T21:59:30.885Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- official-fix
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-88189","vendor":"Microsoft"}]
Threat ID: 6ace85672cdf04f656a00301
Added to database: 10/13/2026, 19:24:23 UTC
Last enriched: 10/14/2026, 01:18:14 UTC
Last updated: 10/14/2026, 01:18:14 UTC
Views: 3
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