Microsoft Paint: Out-of-bounds read enables remote code execution
Summary
Windows Paint contains an out-of-bounds read (CWE-125) that allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute code remotely. The attack requires the victim to open crafted content, such as an image file, in Paint. A successful attack can run code with the rights of the logged-in user and may lead to full host compromise.
Affected
- Microsoft Paint 11.0.0.0 up to but not including 11.2605.91.0
Fixed in
- Microsoft Paint 11.2605.91.0 or later (per the CVE record; confirm the update package on MSRC)
Workaround
- No vendor workaround known. Patching is the only mitigation in the sources.
Exploitation
- No evidence of exploitation in the wild.
- No public proof-of-concept code found.
- Not listed in CISA KEV. CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no.
- EPSS about 0.007 (very low).
Our recommendation
- Install the Microsoft security update for Paint on all affected Windows clients as part of the regular patch cycle.
- Check the Paint version on endpoints and verify the update on the MSRC page.
- If patching is delayed, restrict or remove Paint on affected endpoints and avoid opening untrusted image files.
- Monitor for unusual Paint process activity.
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-2026-83844 msrc.microsoft.com
- SentinelOne Vulnerability Database: CVE-2026-83844 www.sentinelone.com
- OpenCVE: CVE-2026-83844 app.opencve.io
- Vulners NVD: CVE-2026-83844 vulners.com
- Vulners MSCVE: MS:CVE-2026-83844 vulners.com
- Strix: CVE-2026-83844 www.strix.ai
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 1 Nov 2026, 19:26.
Original description (NVD)
Out-of-bounds read in Windows Paint 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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