Windows: Remote code execution in Windows Image Acquisition
Summary
A heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) in the Windows Image Acquisition component allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute code. Microsoft rates user interaction as required, so an attack needs a user to take an action. The NVD record in the request lists CVSS 9.8, but Microsoft's advisory vector is reported as 8.8 (High) with user interaction (UI:R); the 9.8 figure could not be verified against a source.
Affected
- Windows 11 Version 24H2: 10.0.26100.0 to before 10.0.26100.9711
- Windows 11 Version 25H2: 10.0.26200.0 to before 10.0.26200.9711
- Windows 11 Version 26H1: 10.0.28000.0 to before 10.0.28000.3231
- Windows 11 Version 26H2: 10.0.26300.0 to before 10.0.26300.9711
- Windows Server 2025 (including Server Core): 10.0.26100.0 to before 10.0.26100.33650
Fixed in
- Windows 11 24H2: build 10.0.26100.9711 or later
- Windows 11 25H2: build 10.0.26200.9711 or later
- Windows 11 26H1: build 10.0.28000.3231 or later
- Windows 11 26H2: build 10.0.26300.9711 or later
- Windows Server 2025: build 10.0.26100.33650 or later
Fix builds are taken from the CNA ranges; verify them on the MSRC page before use in patch checks.
Workaround
Unknown. No Microsoft workaround was found; applying the October 2026 cumulative update is the documented remedy.
Exploitation
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no
- Not listed in CISA KEV
- Microsoft exploit maturity: Unproven (E:U)
- EPSS about 0.009 (under 1%)
- No public proof of concept or exploitation reports found; this does not rule out exploitation.
Our recommendation
- Inventory Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 hosts and compare their build numbers with the fixed builds above
- Install the October 2026 cumulative update on affected systems, starting with servers and internet-facing hosts, then client endpoints
- If the Windows Image Acquisition service is not needed on a host, consider disabling or restricting it after testing
- Check hosts that are not yet patched for crashes or unexpected code execution
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday October 2026)
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-83523 msrc.microsoft.com
- Vulners NVD record CVE-2026-83523 vulners.com
- OpenCVE CVE-2026-83523 app.opencve.io
- Strix CVE-2026-83523 www.strix.ai
- Tenable Nessus plugin 365473 www.tenable.com
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 30 Oct 2026, 18:38.
Original description (NVD)
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Image Acquisition allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
NVD references (1)
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
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