Microsoft Windows: Elevation of privilege in Windows Media via heap-based buffer overflow

Summary

A heap-based buffer overflow in a Windows Media component allows an authenticated local user to elevate privileges. The flaw affects Windows 10 up to build 10.0.14393.9612 (Version 1607, end-of-life), several other Windows 10 and 11 releases, and Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2 and 2016. Exploitation requires local low-privilege access and no user interaction. Microsoft has released patches, and no exploitation is known.

Affected

• Windows 10 Version 1607 (before 10.0.14393.9612)
• Windows 10 Version 1809 (before 10.0.17763.9376)
• Windows 10 Version 21H2 (before 10.0.19044.7807)
• Windows 10 Version 22H2 (before 10.0.19045.7807)
• Windows 11 Version 23H2 (before 10.0.22631.7652)
• Windows 11 Version 24H2 (before 10.0.26100.9711)
• Windows 11 Version 25H2 (before 10.0.26200.9711)
• Windows 11 Version 26H1 (before 10.0.28000.3231)
• Windows 11 Version 26H2 (before 10.0.26300.9711)
• Windows Server 2012, including Server Core (before 6.2.9200.26434)
• Windows Server 2012 R2, including Server Core (before 6.3.9600.23470)
• Windows Server 2016 (before 10.0.14393.9612)

Fixed in

• Windows 10 Version 1607: build 10.0.14393.9612 or later (KB number: Unknown, see the MSRC page)
• Windows 10 Version 1809: build 10.0.17763.9376 or later
• Windows 10 Version 21H2: build 10.0.19044.7807 or later
• Windows 10 Version 22H2: build 10.0.19045.7807 or later
• Windows 11 Version 23H2: build 10.0.22631.7652 or later
• Windows 11 Version 24H2 and 25H2, 26H2: build 10.0.26100.9711, 10.0.26200.9711 or 10.0.26300.9711 or later
• Windows 11 Version 26H1: build 10.0.28000.3231 or later
• Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2: build 6.2.9200.26434 or 6.3.9600.23470 or later
• Windows Server 2016: build 10.0.14393.9612 or later
• Release date: 13 October 2026

Workaround

Unknown. No vendor workaround is listed in the sources. Installing the update is the fix.

Exploitation

• Not listed in the CISA KEV catalog
• CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total
• Microsoft exploit code maturity: Unproven
• EPSS about 0.35%
• No public proof of concept or in-the-wild exploitation found

Our recommendation

• Check for remaining Windows 10 1607 systems (winver or asset inventory) and plan upgrades, because the patch alone does not keep this release supported.
• Install the update for the affected release on all systems, using the KB from the MSRC page.
• Limit local logon rights and remove unnecessary local admin rights on shared machines, terminal servers and kiosks.
• Monitor for changes in KEV status or public proof-of-concept code.

Public exploits iAttack code is publicly available (PoC on GitHub, Metasploit or Exploit-DB).

PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.

Research sources

• Microsoft MSRC advisory msrc.microsoft.com
• NVD record via Vulners vulners.com
• Affected versions via Vulners (MSRC data) vulners.com
• KEV, SSVC and CVSS vector via OpenCVE app.opencve.io
• EPSS via Vulners vulners.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 2 Nov 2026, 03:25.