Microsoft Color Management: Remote code execution via heap-based buffer overflow
Summary
A heap-based buffer overflow in the Microsoft Color Management component allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute code over a network, according to the CVE record. The CVSS vector (AV:N/PR:N/UI:N) rates the issue as critical with a score of 9.8, but this has not yet been verified by MSRC or NVD. Affected Windows 10, Windows 11 and Windows Server builds are listed in the CVE record, and exploitation is currently not known.
Affected
- Windows 10 Version 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2
- Windows 11 Version 23H2, 24H2, 25H2, 26H1, 26H2
- Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022 (including Server Core)
- Exact affected build ranges: see CVE record (Windows 10 1607: 10.0.14393.0 to before 10.0.14393.9688; Windows Server 2022: 10.0.20348.0 to before 10.0.20348.5870; other builds per CVE record)
Fixed in
Unknown. The CVE record lists builds below which systems are affected (for example 10.0.14393.9688 or 10.0.19045.7846), but the Microsoft update and KB number have not been confirmed.
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor mitigation guidance was found.
Exploitation
- CISA SSVC: Exploitation none, Automatable yes, Technical Impact total
- No public proof of concept or in-the-wild use known at the time of writing
- The CVE was published 2026-11-10 and is awaiting NVD analysis
Our recommendation
- Inventory all Windows 10, 11 and Server systems and identify those reachable from untrusted networks
- Check the MSRC advisory for the fixed builds and KB number as soon as possible and apply the update
- Prioritise internet-facing servers and patch them first
- Verify the CVSS vector and affected component on MSRC or NVD, as the details are not yet confirmed
- Monitor CISA KEV and MSRC for changes in exploitation status
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
- Severity (Microsoft)
- Important
- Impact
- Remote code execution – Microsoft Color Management
- Status on Patch Tuesday
- Neither exploited nor publicly disclosed
- Exploitability assessment
- Exploitation less likely
- Product family
- Windows, Windows ESU (Extended Security Updates)
- Updates (KB)
- KB5131291, KB5131085, KB5131096, KB5131090, KB5131087, KB5132061
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-96078 msrc.microsoft.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 10 Nov 2026, 20:32.
Original description (NVD)
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Color Management 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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