Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AV:N for network-delivered media file; UI:R because user must open the crafted file; PR:N as no attacker account needed; full C/I/A:H since heap-overflow RCE yields complete user-context compromise.
Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft).
CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft
Lifecycle Timeline
3DescriptionCVE.org
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Media Player allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
AnalysisAI
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Media Player enables network-delivered remote code execution across 15 Windows OS SKUs, from Windows 10 1607 through Windows 11 25H2 and Windows Server 2016 through 2025. An unauthenticated remote attacker who can entice a user to open a crafted media file triggers memory corruption yielding full code execution at the victim's privilege level (C:H/I:H/A:H). …
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Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata
Vulnerability AssessmentAI
| Exploitation | Exploitation requires that the victim user actively open or play a crafted media file using Windows Media Player on an unpatched Windows system - this user interaction is explicit in the CVSS UI:R metric and is the sole prerequisite beyond network delivery. … Additional conditions and limiting factors are described in the full assessment. |
| Risk Assessment | The CVSS 8.8 score accurately captures a high-severity, network-accessible vector with no privilege requirement and full impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. … Full risk analysis with EPSS, KEV, and SSVC signal comparison available after sign-in. |
| Exploit Scenario | Full exploit scenario with step-by-step reproduction available after sign-in. |
| Remediation | Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2026-72960 via Windows Update, WSUS, or Microsoft Update Catalog to reach the patched build for each SKU: Windows Server 2025/Core to 10.0.26100.33438, Windows Server 2022 to 10.0.20348.5622, Windows Server 2019/Core to 10.0.17763.9245, Windows Server 2016/Core to 10.0.14393.9512, Windows 11 24H2/25H2 to 10.0.26100.9445/10.0.26200.9445, Windows 11 26H1 to 10.0.28000.2954, Windows 11 23H2 to 10.0.22631.7582, and Windows 10 21H2/22H2 to 10.0.19044.7725/10.0.19045.7725 (full list at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72960). … Detailed patch versions, workarounds, and compensating controls in full report. |
Recommended ActionAI
Within 24 hours, inventory all Windows 10, 11, Server 2016-2025 systems with Windows Media Player enabled and stage the Microsoft-released patch in test environments to validate Media Player functionality. …
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Same weakness CWE-122 – Heap-based Buffer Overflow
View allSame technique Buffer Overflow
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External POC / Exploit Code
Leaving vuln.today
EUVD-2026-73675
GHSA-p3j4-5p6m-48m3