Microsoft Windows Search Component: Remote code execution via heap buffer overflow
Summary
A heap-based buffer overflow in the Microsoft Windows Search Component allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute code remotely over a network. According to the vendor's advisory, user interaction is required, typically a user opening a specially crafted file. The CVSS base score is 8.8 (High). No exploitation is known so far.
Affected
- Windows Server 2016: 10.0.14393.0 to below 10.0.14393.9612
- Windows 10 Version 1809: 10.0.17763.0 to below 10.0.17763.9376
- Windows 10 Version 21H2: 10.0.19044.0 to below 10.0.19044.7807
- Windows 10 Version 22H2: 10.0.19045.0 to below 10.0.19045.7807
- Windows 11 Version 23H2: 10.0.22631.0 to below 10.0.22631.7652
- Windows 11 Version 24H2: 10.0.26100.0 to below 10.0.26100.9711
- Windows 11 Version 25H2: 10.0.26200.0 to below 10.0.26200.9711
- Windows 11 Version 26H1: 10.0.28000.0 to below 10.0.28000.3231
- Windows 11 Version 26H2: 10.0.26300.0 to below 10.0.26300.9711
- Windows Server 2012 (including Server Core): 6.2.9200.0 to below 6.2.9200.26434
- Windows Server 2012 R2 (including Server Core): 6.3.9600.0 to below 6.3.9600.23470
- Windows 10 Version 1607: unverified. The CNA record does not list it by name, but the reported CPE does.
Fixed in
- Windows Server 2016: 10.0.14393.9612
- Windows 10 Version 1809: 10.0.17763.9376
- Windows 10 Version 21H2 and 22H2: 10.0.19044.7807 and 10.0.19045.7807
- Windows 11 Version 23H2: 10.0.22631.7652
- Windows 11 Version 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2: 10.0.26100.9711, 10.0.26200.9711 and 10.0.26300.9711
- Windows 11 Version 26H1: 10.0.28000.3231
- Windows Server 2012: 6.2.9200.26434
- Windows Server 2012 R2: 6.3.9600.23470
- Windows 10 Version 1607: Unknown.
Workaround
- No vendor workaround or mitigation is known.
- Block or quarantine unsolicited files and attachments at the mail gateway.
- Restrict opening of files from untrusted sources.
Exploitation
- Not listed in CISA KEV.
- CISA SSVC in the CNA record: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
- One aggregator reports an EPSS score of about 0.8 %.
- No public proof of concept found. No known exploitation in the wild.
Our recommendation
- Identify all Windows systems with affected builds and install the vendor's October 2026 security update.
- For Windows 10 Version 1607, check Microsoft's lifecycle page for support status and whether a fix exists. If none exists, isolate or migrate the system.
- Prioritise systems that receive external files, such as mail, downloads and file shares.
- Monitor the MSRC advisory and CISA KEV for changes.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday October 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Remote code execution – Microsoft Windows Search Component
- Status on Patch Tuesday
- Neither exploited nor publicly disclosed
- Exploitability assessment
- Exploitation less likely
- Product family
- Windows, Windows ESU (Extended Security Updates)
- Updates (KB)
- KB5127648, KB5126651, KB5126655, KB5126657, KB5126646, KB5126653
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-83725 msrc.microsoft.com
- OpenCVE: CVE-2026-83725 app.opencve.io
- Vulners: NVD:CVE-2026-83725 vulners.com
- GitHub issue: CVE-2026-83725 KEV status github.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 31 Oct 2026, 18:35.
Original description (NVD)
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Windows Search Component 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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