Heap Overflow
A heap overflow occurs when a program writes data beyond the bounds of a buffer allocated in the heap memory region.
How It Works
A heap overflow occurs when a program writes data beyond the bounds of a buffer allocated in the heap memory region. Unlike stack overflows that target the call stack, heap overflows corrupt dynamically allocated memory managed by functions like malloc() or new. When a program allocates heap memory without properly validating input size, an attacker can supply excessive data that spills into adjacent heap chunks, corrupting heap metadata structures or neighboring objects.
Exploitation typically targets heap management metadata (chunk headers containing size and status information) or data in adjacent allocations. Attackers can overwrite function pointers stored in heap objects, C++ vtable pointers, or critical data fields to redirect program execution. Modern heap implementations use inline metadata, making them vulnerable to carefully crafted overflows that manipulate allocation structures to achieve arbitrary write primitives.
The attack difficulty varies by heap implementation. Attackers must understand the specific allocator's layout (glibc malloc, Windows heap, etc.) and often need information leaks to defeat ASLR. Heap feng shui techniques arrange heap allocations in predictable patterns, placing attacker-controlled data adjacent to target objects to maximize exploitation reliability.
Impact
- Arbitrary code execution: Overwrite function pointers or vtables to redirect control flow to attacker-supplied shellcode
- Memory corruption: Corrupt critical data structures, causing crashes or logic manipulation to bypass security checks
- Privilege escalation: Modify authorization flags or user context stored in heap objects
- Information disclosure: Trigger controlled crashes that leak sensitive data through error messages or core dumps
- Heap spray payloads: Combined with other vulnerabilities, create reliable exploitation paths across multiple platforms
Real-World Examples
The WhatsApp video call vulnerability (CVE-2019-11931) exploited a heap overflow in video decoding, allowing remote code execution through a malicious video file without user interaction. Attackers could compromise devices by simply calling targets.
The OpenSSL Heartbleed bug (CVE-2014-0160), while primarily an information disclosure issue, demonstrated heap-related vulnerabilities by allowing attackers to read arbitrary heap memory. Similar heap overflow issues in TLS implementations have enabled complete server compromise.
The sudo heap overflow (CVE-2021-3156) allowed local privilege escalation on Unix systems by overflowing a heap buffer through carefully crafted command-line arguments, giving unprivileged users root access on affected systems.
Mitigation
- Memory-safe languages: Use Rust, Go, or managed languages that eliminate manual memory management vulnerabilities
- Hardened heap allocators: Deploy jemalloc, PartitionAlloc, or Scudo with guard pages and randomization features
- Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR): Randomize heap base addresses to make exploitation non-deterministic
- Bounds checking: Validate all input sizes before heap operations and use safe string functions (
strncpy,snprintf) - Heap integrity checks: Enable heap consistency verification in production environments
- Compiler mitigations: Use AddressSanitizer during development and fortify source options at compile time
- Size limits: Enforce maximum allocation sizes and reject excessive input
Recent CVEs (2199)
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Excel enables local code execution when a user opens a specially crafted file, granting full confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise of the affected system. The CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R) confirms this is a document-triggered exploit requiring no attacker privileges but demanding victim interaction - a profile consistent with malicious email attachment or drive-by download campaigns. No public exploit code or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis, though Excel's ubiquity makes this a high-value target class.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Excel enables local code execution when a user opens a specially crafted Excel file. The CVSS vector (AV:L/PR:N/UI:R) confirms the attack requires no system privileges but does require user interaction - the classic malicious-document delivery pattern. Full confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise results, making this a high-severity threat against any organization reliant on Excel for document workflows. No public exploit or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Excel enables local code execution with full system impact when a victim opens a maliciously crafted workbook. The root cause is a numeric truncation error (CWE-122) in Excel's file parsing logic, where an integer value is truncated before being used to size a heap allocation, resulting in an undersized buffer that can be overflowed. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, and there is no CISA KEV listing, but the high CVSS score of 7.8 and full confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact make this a meaningful risk for organizations relying on Excel file workflows.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Excel enables local code execution when a victim opens a specially crafted workbook, resulting in full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the local system. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) confirms no attacker privileges are required, though user interaction - opening the malicious file - is a hard prerequisite. No public exploit code or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis; the issue is confirmed by Microsoft's Security Response Center via secure@microsoft.com.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Excel enables local code execution when a victim opens a specially crafted Excel file. The attack requires no privileges from the attacker but does require user interaction - consistent with a malicious document delivery vector - and carries high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No active exploitation (KEV) or public exploit code has been identified in the provided intelligence at time of analysis.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Excel enables local code execution when a victim opens a specially crafted file. The CVSS vector (AV:L/PR:N/UI:R) confirms exploitation requires no prior privileges but depends on user interaction - consistent with a malicious document delivery scenario. No public exploit code or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis, though the full confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact (C:H/I:H/A:H) makes this a high-severity concern for any environment running unpatched Excel installations.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Excel enables local code execution when a user opens a specially crafted Excel file. An unauthenticated attacker (per CVSS PR:N) delivers a malicious document that triggers the overflow upon interaction (UI:R), achieving full confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise on the victim system. No public exploit or KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis, though the attack pattern is well-understood and document-based Excel exploits have a long operational history.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Excel enables local code execution when a victim opens a maliciously crafted file. The vulnerability (CWE-122) corrupts heap memory in Excel's parsing logic, allowing an attacker to achieve full control over confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. No public exploit or active exploitation has been identified at time of analysis, but the CVSS score of 7.8 with high impact across all three CIA triad pillars makes this a meaningful priority for organizations running affected Excel versions.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Word enables a local, unauthenticated attacker to disclose sensitive memory contents by enticing a user to open a maliciously crafted document. Affected products span Microsoft Word 2016, Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, Office LTSC 2021/2024 on Windows, and Office LTSC/365 on macOS. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, SSVC rates exploitation as none, and Microsoft has released patches via the standard Office update channel.
Local privilege escalation in Windows Key Guard exposes any authenticated local user to full system compromise via a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122). The CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) confirms low-complexity exploitation requiring only a standard local user session - no elevated rights, no user interaction. This class of vulnerability is a staple post-initial-access technique in ransomware and APT intrusion chains. No public exploit identified at time of analysis, and no CISA KEV listing is present in the provided data.
Local privilege escalation in the Windows Storage Port Driver (storport.sys) exploits a heap-based buffer overflow to allow an authorized low-privilege user to gain SYSTEM-level control of an affected Windows host. The CVSS 7.8 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N) confirms the attack requires only an existing low-privilege local session - no additional permissions or user interaction are needed - with full confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact upon success. No public exploit has been identified at time of analysis, and no active exploitation has been confirmed in CISA KEV.
Privilege escalation in Windows DNS affects every major Windows 10, 11, and Windows Server release from 2012 through 2025, allowing a locally authenticated low-privileged attacker to achieve full system compromise through a heap-based buffer overflow triggered by integer wraparound. The CVSS base score of 7.8 reflects total C/I/A impact and low attack complexity once local access exists. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, and EPSS at 0.26% (17th percentile) confirms low current exploitation probability - though SSVC rates technical impact as total, underscoring that successful exploitation yields complete system control.
Privilege escalation in the Windows DNS service affects a broad range of Windows client and server versions from Windows Server 2012 through Windows Server 2025 and Windows 10/11 across all major feature releases. The vulnerability stems from a numeric truncation error (CWE-122, heap-based buffer overflow) that an already-privileged local attacker can trigger to gain elevated access beyond their current privilege level. No public exploit code and no CISA KEV listing are present at time of analysis, but Microsoft has released patches across all affected product lines.
Heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows iSCSI Target Service enables an unauthenticated remote attacker to trigger denial of service across a wide range of Windows Server versions from 2012 through 2025. The vendor-assigned CVSS vector of C:H/I:H/A:H suggests potential impact beyond the description's stated denial-of-service scope, warranting attention to whether memory corruption could extend to confidentiality or integrity compromise. No public exploit or active exploitation has been identified at time of analysis; however, SSVC designates the attack as automatable, elevating the urgency for organizations running exposed iSCSI targets to apply available patches.
Remote code execution in the Windows iSCSI Target Service allows an unauthenticated network attacker to run arbitrary code by exploiting a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) in the service's network-facing request handling. The flaw carries a critical 9.8 CVSS rating and is remotely reachable with no privileges or user interaction, meaning any exposed iSCSI Target endpoint can be compromised end-to-end. No public exploit identified at time of analysis, and the vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV.
Privilege escalation in Windows Message Queuing (MSMQ) allows a locally authenticated attacker to gain SYSTEM-level privileges via a heap-based buffer overflow. Affected systems are those running Windows with the Message Queuing service enabled. The CVSS score of 7.8 (High) reflects high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, though exploitation requires existing local access. No public exploit or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis.
Heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Desktop Window Manager (dwm.exe) enables a locally authenticated low-privileged user to escalate to SYSTEM-level privileges. The CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N) confirms exploitation requires only existing local access with standard user credentials and no user interaction, making this a viable second-stage privilege escalation tool post-initial-compromise. No public exploit or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis, but the low attack complexity is a meaningful risk signal for defenders.
Privilege escalation in Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) allows a low-privileged local attacker to exploit a heap-based buffer overflow and obtain SYSTEM-level access. The vulnerability affects all modern Windows systems where DWM is running - its default state on any graphical Windows installation - and requires no user interaction once the attacker has local code execution. No public exploit identified at time of analysis and not listed in CISA KEV, though the low attack complexity (AC:L) meaningfully reduces the skill threshold for weaponization.
Local privilege escalation in Windows Installer (msiexec) enables an authenticated low-privileged user to trigger a heap-based buffer overflow, potentially achieving SYSTEM-level code execution across a broad range of Windows client and server platforms spanning over a decade of releases. Affected systems include Windows 10 through Windows 11 25H2 and Windows Server 2012 through Server 2025, making the exposure surface extensive across enterprise and consumer deployments. No public exploit identified at time of analysis and no active exploitation confirmed via CISA KEV; vendor-released patches are available through the Microsoft Security Response Center.
Remote code execution via heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows iSCSI Target Service affects a broad range of Windows Server versions from Server 2012 through Server 2025, as well as Windows 10 (versions 1607 and 1809). An unauthenticated network attacker can send a malformed iSCSI protocol request to trigger CWE-122 heap corruption and achieve arbitrary code execution on the target host. No public exploit identified at time of analysis and no CISA KEV listing, though the CVSS score of 8.1 (AC:H) reflects real exploitation complexity; the full C:H/I:H/A:H impact triad makes this a credible priority for environments running the iSCSI Target role.
Privilege escalation in the Windows Remote Access API via a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) allows an authenticated local attacker with low privileges to gain full SYSTEM-level control over affected Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022/2025 hosts. The CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N) confirms exploitation requires only a valid local account and no user interaction, making it a reliable post-compromise escalation path. No public exploit code or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis; Microsoft has released patches for all enumerated affected versions.
Privilege escalation via heap buffer overflow in the Windows Remote Access (RAS) API affects every major in-support Windows desktop and server release, from Server 2012 R2 through Windows 11 26H1 and Server 2025. An authenticated local attacker with low-privileged access can trigger a CWE-122 heap overflow to achieve full SYSTEM-level compromise with High confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact and no user interaction required. No public exploit code or active exploitation has been identified at time of analysis; Microsoft has released a patch across all affected build lines.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office enables arbitrary local code execution when a user opens a specially crafted document. Affected products span seven product lines across Windows and macOS, including Office 2019, Office LTSC 2021/2024, Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, and their Mac counterparts, all prior to the vendor-released patch. No public exploit or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis, but the breadth of the affected install base and the low-complexity exploitation path make this a high-priority patching item.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office enables local code execution when a user opens a specially crafted document, affecting multiple product lines including Office 2016 through Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise. The vulnerability carries a CVSS 7.8 (High) score and achieves full confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise on the victim system. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, and Microsoft has released patches via the standard Office Security Releases channel.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Access enables local code execution across Office 2016, 2019, LTSC 2021, LTSC 2024, and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise when a victim opens a specially crafted database file. The flaw, rooted in CWE-122, yields full High/High/High impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CVSS 7.8), making successful exploitation equivalent to arbitrary code execution in the user's security context. No public exploit code and no CISA KEV listing have been identified at time of analysis; Microsoft has released patches via the Office Security Releases channel.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Word enables local code execution with High confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact when a user opens a specially crafted document. Affects Microsoft Office 2019, Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, Office LTSC 2021 and 2024, Word 2016, and corresponding Mac editions. No public exploit identified at time of analysis and the vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV, but the broad product footprint and low attack complexity make patch application a near-term priority for enterprise defenders.
Heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) in Microsoft Office Access enables local code execution when a user opens a specially crafted database file, with full high-impact compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CVSS 7.8). Affected products span Microsoft Access 2016 through Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise and Office LTSC 2024. No public exploit or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis; a vendor patch is available via the Microsoft Security Response Center.
Local code execution via heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office affects multiple product lines including Office 2019, 2021, 2024 LTSC, and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise. An integer overflow or wraparound during document parsing leads to an undersized heap allocation (CWE-122), enabling arbitrary code execution at the privilege level of the opening user when a victim opens a maliciously crafted Office file. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, and no CISA KEV listing is present, though the full-triad high-impact CVSS score of 7.8 reflects the severity of successful exploitation.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office, rooted in an integer underflow during document parsing, enables local code execution with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact when a user opens a specially crafted file. All major Office release channels on both Windows and Mac are affected, including Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, Office LTSC 2024/2021/2019/2016, and their Mac equivalents. No public exploit has been identified at time of analysis, but a vendor-released patch is available via the Microsoft Security Response Center.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Access enables local arbitrary code execution with full confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact across several Office product families. The vulnerability, rooted in CWE-122, affects Microsoft Access 2016 (both 32- and 64-bit editions), Office 2019, Office LTSC 2021, Office LTSC 2024, and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction - consistent with a malicious database file delivery scenario - and a vendor patch is available; no public exploit code or active exploitation has been identified at time of analysis.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Access enables local code execution when a user opens a specially crafted Access database file. Affected products span Access 2016, Office 2019, Office LTSC 2021, Office LTSC 2024, and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise - representing a broad corporate user base. Vendor patch is available via MSRC; no public exploit or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis.
Local code execution in Microsoft Office stems from an integer overflow that cascades into a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122), affecting Office 2016 through LTSC 2024 on both Windows and macOS. An unauthenticated attacker who can convince a target user to open a crafted Office document gains full code execution with the victim's privilege level - achieving high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact per the CVSS:3.1 AV:L/C:H/I:H/A:H rating. No public exploit code or CISA KEV listing was identified at time of analysis, but the patch is vendor-confirmed and available via Microsoft's Security Update Guide.
Local code execution in Microsoft Office affects all major editions across Windows and macOS, including Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, Office LTSC 2021/2024, Office 2019, and their Mac counterparts. The vulnerability is a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) triggered when a user opens a specially crafted document, granting the attacker arbitrary code execution at the victim's privilege level. No public exploit has been identified at time of analysis, and a vendor-released patch is available, making this a high-priority patching target across enterprise Office deployments.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office allows local code execution across a wide range of Office versions on both Windows and macOS when a victim opens a specially crafted document. The CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R) confirms that no privileges are required - only that a user interacts with malicious content - making this practically reachable via phishing or drive-by document delivery despite the local attack vector. No active exploitation has been confirmed in CISA KEV, and no public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis; a vendor-released patch is available.
Local code execution in Microsoft Office results from an integer overflow that leads to a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122), enabling an attacker to run arbitrary code at the privilege level of the logged-in user. Affected products span multiple Windows and Mac release tracks including Office 2016, 2019, LTSC 2021, LTSC 2024, and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise. No public exploit or CISA KEV listing is present in the available data; however, the complete high CIA triad and wide deployment footprint make this a priority patching target.
Local code execution in Microsoft Office is possible when a user opens a specially crafted document that triggers a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122), granting the attacker full control over the victim's user session. The vulnerability spans the entire modern Office portfolio - Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, Office 2019, LTSC 2021, LTSC 2024, and macOS equivalents - making the attack surface exceptionally broad. No public exploit identified at time of analysis and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog; Microsoft has released patches for all affected product lines.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Word enables arbitrary local code execution when a user opens a specially crafted document. The vulnerability spans a broad set of affected products across both Windows and macOS platforms, including Office LTSC 2021/2024, Office 2019, Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, Office 365 for Mac, and Outlook 2016. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, though Microsoft has released a patch and the document-based delivery model is a proven and widely abused attack vector in enterprise phishing campaigns.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office enables local code execution with high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Affecting Office 2016 through 2024, including LTSC and Microsoft 365 variants on both Windows and macOS, the vulnerability is triggered when a user opens a specially crafted document - requiring no privileges but mandatory user interaction (CVSS AV:L/UI:R). Patch is available from Microsoft; no public exploit identified at time of analysis.
Remote code execution in Microsoft Exchange Server stems from a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) exploitable by any network-accessible authenticated user with low privileges. Affected versions span Exchange Server 2016 CU23, 2019 CU14 and CU15, and the Subscription Edition - all major currently-supported release lines. Vendor patches are available, and no public exploit identified at time of analysis, though the low attack complexity and full CIA impact make this a critical patching priority for enterprise Exchange deployments.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) Core Library affects a broad range of Windows client and server editions spanning from Windows 10 1607 through Windows 11 26H1 and multiple Windows Server releases. An authenticated local attacker can exploit the overflow to gain full system-level privileges, achieving high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact on the compromised host. No public exploit has been identified at time of analysis, and no active exploitation has been confirmed by CISA KEV, but the vendor has released patches addressing the affected builds.
Local code execution via heap-based buffer overflow in Windows GDI+ (Graphics Device Interface Plus) affects a wide range of Windows desktop and server editions from Windows Server 2012 through Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2025. Any locally authenticated low-privilege user can trigger the overflow, gaining full control over confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected host. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, and the vulnerability does not appear in the CISA KEV catalog, but Microsoft has released patches across all affected version branches.
Privilege escalation in Microsoft .NET runtimes (8.0, 9.0, and 10.0) and Microsoft Visual Studio 2022 and 2026 results from a heap-based buffer overflow triggered by an integer overflow or wraparound condition in the runtime's memory handling. An unprivileged local user who interacts with a crafted input - such as a malicious file processed by a .NET application - can exploit the flaw to gain elevated privileges on the host system. No public exploit has been identified at time of analysis and this CVE is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog; however, a vendor-released patch is available from Microsoft.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Win32K (win32k.sys) allows a low-privileged local user to achieve full SYSTEM-level control across a broad range of Windows and Windows Server releases. The vulnerability spans Windows 10 1607 through Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2012 through Server 2025, making the attack surface effectively ubiquitous across enterprise environments. No public exploit identified at time of analysis, but vendor-released patches are available via the Microsoft Security Response Center.
Privilege escalation in Windows DNS across a wide range of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server releases exploits a numeric truncation error (CWE-122, heap-based buffer overflow) to allow an authorized local attacker with high privileges to fully compromise the vulnerable system. Affected builds span from Windows Server 2012 through Windows Server 2025 and Windows 11 26H1, with vendor-supplied patches now available from Microsoft MSRC. SSVC assessment confirms no current exploitation activity and the vulnerability is not automatable, though technical impact is rated total across confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Privilege escalation in Windows DNS across a broad range of Microsoft Windows releases stems from a numeric truncation error (CWE-122) that produces a heap-based buffer overflow, enabling an already high-privileged local attacker to escalate further - likely to SYSTEM level. The vulnerability spans Windows Server 2012 through Server 2025 and Windows 10/11 consumer editions, representing a wide patching surface. No public exploit has been identified at time of analysis, and CISA SSVC confirms exploitation status as none with no automatable attack path, though technical impact is rated total.
Heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) in Microsoft .NET enables local code execution across all actively supported .NET release streams (8.0, 9.0, 10.0) and associated Visual Studio tooling. The flaw requires user interaction - consistent with a file-processing or input-parsing trigger - but no elevated privileges, meaning an attacker can exploit it by inducing a user to open or process a maliciously crafted artifact within a vulnerable .NET context. Full confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise of the affected process is possible on successful exploitation. No public exploit identified at time of analysis and no CISA KEV listing; Microsoft has released patches across all affected branches.
Unauthenticated code execution in Windows DHCP Server allows an attacker positioned on an adjacent network segment to trigger a heap-based buffer overflow and achieve full system compromise. The vulnerability spans a wide range of Microsoft server and desktop platforms, from Windows Server 2012 through Windows Server 2025 and select Windows 10 builds, making it broadly relevant in Windows-centric enterprise environments. No public exploit code or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis, but the low-complexity, zero-interaction exploitation profile and vendor-confirmed patch availability make this a high-priority patching candidate for any organization running Windows DHCP Server.
Remote code execution is possible in Windows GDI+ across a broad range of Windows 10, 11, and Windows Server versions due to an integer overflow that leads to a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122). Network-based attackers with no privileges required can exploit this by delivering a crafted image or graphic file, requiring only that the victim open or preview the content. A vendor patch is available via MSRC; no public exploit code or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis.
Heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Reliable Multicast Transport (RMCAST) kernel driver enables unauthenticated adjacent-network attackers to execute arbitrary code at kernel privilege level across a broad range of Windows desktop and server releases, from Server 2012 through Windows 11 version 26H1. The CVSS 8.8 rating reflects the zero-credential, zero-interaction exploitation path, constrained only by the requirement for network adjacency. No public exploit has been identified at time of analysis, and the vulnerability does not currently appear in the CISA KEV catalog; a vendor-released patch with confirmed fixed build numbers is available via Microsoft MSRC.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows HTTP.sys kernel-mode driver affects Windows 11 (23H2 through 26H1) and Windows Server 2022/2025. An authenticated low-privileged local attacker can exploit this flaw to gain SYSTEM-level privileges on the target machine. No public exploit code or CISA KEV listing is identified at time of analysis, but the low attack complexity (AC:L) and breadth of affected Windows builds make this a significant patching priority for organizations running vulnerable versions.
Remote code execution in Windows SMB Server is achievable by a network-authenticated attacker exploiting a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122). The CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N) confirms that low-privileged, network-accessible credentials are sufficient - no user interaction or elevated rights are required. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Windows client and server releases from Windows Server 2012 through Windows 11 26H2 and Windows Server 2025, with vendor patches now available. No public exploit code or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis.
Local privilege escalation in the Windows SMB Client on Windows 11 version 26H1 enables a low-privileged authorized attacker to gain SYSTEM-level control via a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122). The CVSS 7.8 (High) score reflects low attack complexity and no user interaction required once local access is established, with full confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact on the compromised host. No public exploit code and no active exploitation (CISA KEV) have been identified at time of analysis; a vendor patch raising build to 10.0.28000.2704 is available from Microsoft.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows NTFS driver enables a local authenticated attacker with standard user rights to gain SYSTEM-level control on affected Windows endpoints and servers. The vulnerability spans a wide swath of the Windows ecosystem, from Windows Server 2012 through Windows Server 2025 and Windows 11 26H1, making the aggregate exposure significant. No public exploit code or CISA KEV listing is confirmed at time of analysis, but the low attack complexity (AC:L) and absence of user interaction (UI:N) mean that a working exploit would be highly reliable once developed.
Remote code execution is achievable in Windows SMB Server via a heap-based buffer overflow exploitable by a low-privileged, authenticated network attacker. The vulnerability (CWE-122) spans a wide range of Microsoft Windows client and server releases from Windows Server 2012 through Windows Server 2025 and Windows 10/11. Microsoft has released patches via the MSRC update guide; no KEV listing or public exploit code is present in the available intelligence at time of analysis.
Heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows LDAP client implementation enables remote code execution against any Windows system that initiates an LDAP connection to an attacker-controlled server. The vulnerability spans an exceptionally wide set of affected Windows versions - from Windows Server 2012 through Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2025 - making the potential attack surface very large. Microsoft has released patches via the standard update channel; no public exploit code or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis, though the PR:N/UI:R vector and high CIAlll impact make this a credible priority for patching.
Remote code execution in Microsoft's Local Security Authority Server (lsasrv) affects virtually every supported Windows client and server release, from Windows Server 2012 through Server 2025 and Windows 10 through Windows 11 26H1. The heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) is reachable over the network by any low-privileged authenticated attacker - aligning with the CVSS PR:L designation and the description's 'authorized attacker' language - enabling full system compromise. No public exploit identified at time of analysis; vendor patch is available via MSRC.
Privilege escalation in the Windows Remote Access Connection Manager (RASMAN) service enables a low-privileged local attacker to achieve SYSTEM-level access through a heap-based buffer overflow. Affecting Windows 10 (from version 1809), Windows 11 (through version 26H1), Windows Server 2019 through Server 2025, this vulnerability requires only a valid local user account and no user interaction. Microsoft has released patches via MSRC; no public exploit code or confirmed active exploitation has been identified at time of analysis.
Remote code execution via heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows RPC Runtime affects every supported Windows desktop and server release from Windows 10 1607 through Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2012 through Server 2025. An unauthenticated remote attacker who can reach an exposed RPC endpoint can corrupt heap memory and achieve arbitrary code execution, yielding full confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise of the target system. No public exploit code or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis; however, the breadth of affected versions, combined with network accessibility and no authentication requirement, elevates operational priority for internet-facing and laterally-reachable Windows infrastructure.
Local privilege escalation in the Windows Container Isolation FS Filter Driver (unionfs.sys) allows an authenticated local attacker to gain SYSTEM-level privileges on affected Windows 11 26H1 systems. The vulnerability is a heap-based buffer overflow in the kernel driver, exploitable by a low-privileged user without any user interaction. No public exploit has been identified at time of analysis, and Microsoft has released a patch addressing the issue.
Heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver (CldFlt.sys) enables a low-privileged local attacker to escalate to SYSTEM-level privileges across a broad range of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server releases. The CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N) confirms exploitation requires only a standard user account with no user interaction and no special configuration - a reliable post-access escalation primitive. Microsoft has released patches; no public exploit code or CISA KEV listing is present in the provided data.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Shell affects a broad range of Microsoft Windows desktop and server releases, from Windows 10 Version 1607 through Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2012 through Server 2025. A locally authenticated, low-privileged attacker can trigger heap corruption within the Windows Shell component to achieve full SYSTEM-level code execution with no user interaction required and low attack complexity. Microsoft has released patches across all affected version branches; no public exploit code or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis.
Windows DNS Server on a broad range of Windows and Windows Server editions contains a heap-based buffer overflow rooted in a numeric truncation error, enabling an authorized local attacker with high-privilege access to escalate privileges on the affected system. Affected platforms span Windows Server 2012 through Server 2025 and Windows 10/11 across multiple feature versions, with Microsoft confirming full confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact upon successful exploitation. No public exploit code or active exploitation has been identified at time of analysis; SSVC classifies exploitation status as none and automatable as no, and Microsoft has released patches addressed in the MSRC advisory.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Remote Access Connection Manager (RASMAN) service affects virtually every current and legacy Windows release from Server 2012 through Windows 11 26H1 and Server 2025. A low-privileged local attacker can overwrite heap memory to gain SYSTEM-level code execution on the target host without any user interaction. No public exploit code or active exploitation has been identified at time of analysis; however, Microsoft has confirmed and patched the vulnerability through the MSRC update guide.
Heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Kerberos authentication subsystem enables a locally authenticated attacker to elevate privileges to SYSTEM-level access across a broad range of Windows client and server releases. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) reflects full confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact upon successful exploitation with low attack complexity once local access is established. Microsoft has released patches per MSRC advisory CVE-2026-62754; no public exploit code has been identified and the vulnerability has not appeared in the CISA KEV catalog at time of analysis.
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows HTTP.sys enables a locally authenticated, low-privileged attacker to escalate privileges on the affected host, likely achieving SYSTEM-level control. The flaw spans a wide range of Windows versions from Server 2012 through Windows 11 26H1, representing substantial enterprise exposure despite requiring initial local access. No public exploit has been identified at time of analysis, and Microsoft has released patched builds across all affected product lines via the MSRC advisory.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Kerberos affects the full breadth of supported Windows versions, from Server 2012 through Windows 11 26H1 and Server 2025. An attacker holding a valid low-privilege local account can trigger a heap corruption condition in the Kerberos implementation to achieve complete confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact on the compromised host - effectively gaining SYSTEM-level control. Vendor-released patches with exact fixed build numbers are available via Microsoft MSRC; no public exploit code or CISA KEV-confirmed active exploitation has been identified at time of analysis.
Windows Device Association Service contains a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) that enables local privilege escalation on a broad swath of Windows client and server editions, from Windows 10 1607 through Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2016 through 2025. An attacker holding a standard low-privileged local account can exploit this flaw without any user interaction, achieving high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability - consistent with full SYSTEM-level compromise. No public exploit has been identified at time of analysis, and no CISA KEV listing is present, but Microsoft has released patches and the low attack complexity (AC:L) makes this a reliable privilege escalation primitive once local foothold is established.
Privilege escalation via integer underflow in Windows HTTP.sys (the kernel-mode HTTP protocol stack) allows an authenticated local attacker to gain SYSTEM-level access on a broad range of Windows versions from Server 2012 through Server 2025 and Windows 10/11. The flaw is rooted in an integer wraparound condition (tagged by the reporter as a heap overflow mechanism) in the HTTP.sys kernel driver, enabling full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected host. No public exploit has been identified at time of analysis, and Microsoft has released patches covering all affected version branches.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in Windows HTTP.sys affects a broad range of Windows 10, 11, and Windows Server releases. An attacker with low-level local access can exploit the CWE-122 flaw in the kernel-mode HTTP driver to achieve full system compromise - High confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, and Microsoft has released patches addressing this vulnerability across all affected version branches.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows DHCP Client affects Windows 11 (versions 23H2 through 26H1) and Windows Server 2025, allowing an authorized local attacker with low-level privileges to gain full SYSTEM-level control. The flaw carries a CVSS base score of 7.8 with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact on the local system. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, though Microsoft has released patches covering all affected build ranges.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in Windows HTTP.sys (a kernel-mode HTTP listener driver) allows a locally authenticated low-privilege attacker to gain SYSTEM-level access across a broad range of Windows client and server releases. The CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N) confirms exploitation requires only local authenticated access with no user interaction and low attack complexity, making this a practical post-compromise escalation primitive. No public exploit or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis, and Microsoft has released patches for all affected product lines.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Telephony Service (TAPI) affects virtually all supported Windows client and server builds, from legacy Server 2012 through current Windows 11 25H2 and Server 2025. An authorized local user with standard low-privilege credentials can trigger the heap overflow in tapisrv to achieve SYSTEM-level access. No public exploit or CISA KEV listing exists at time of analysis; vendor-released patches are available across all 19 affected product SKUs per MSRC.
Privilege escalation in the Windows Bind Filter Driver, a kernel-mode component present in Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025, stems from a heap-based buffer overflow that enables a locally authenticated user with standard privileges to gain SYSTEM-level control over the affected host. Affected builds span Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1, as well as Windows Server 2025 including Server Core installations, with patched builds confirmed by Microsoft via MSRC advisory CVE-2026-62722. No public exploit has been identified at time of analysis, and the vulnerability has not been added to CISA's KEV catalog.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Message Queuing (MSMQ) allows a locally authenticated attacker with low privileges to gain SYSTEM-level access across a wide range of Microsoft Windows desktop and server editions. The flaw, classified as CWE-122, spans from Windows Server 2012 through Windows Server 2025 and Windows 10/11 across multiple feature update channels, making it broadly relevant in enterprise environments where MSMQ is deployed. Patch is available from Microsoft via the MSRC update guide; no public exploit or CISA KEV listing has been identified at the time of analysis.
Privilege escalation in Windows Message Queuing (MSMQ) allows a locally authenticated low-privileged attacker to achieve full system compromise via a heap-based buffer overflow. Confirmed affected across a broad range of Microsoft Windows desktop and server platforms, from Windows Server 2012 through Windows Server 2025 and Windows 10/11 all versions. No public exploit identified at time of analysis and no CISA KEV listing; however, the low attack complexity combined with universal Windows platform coverage makes this a meaningful post-exploitation or insider-threat vector.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver (cldflt.sys) allows a low-privileged local attacker to gain full SYSTEM-level control on affected Windows endpoints and servers. The vulnerability spans virtually all supported Windows versions, from Windows 10 1809 and Server 2019 through Windows 11 26H1 and Server 2025. No public exploit or CISA KEV listing is identified at time of analysis, but the low attack complexity (AC:L) and broad platform coverage make this a credible post-exploitation privilege escalation primitive for threat actors who have already obtained a local foothold.
Privilege escalation in Windows Win32K via a heap-based buffer overflow enables a locally authenticated attacker to gain SYSTEM-level access across a broad range of Microsoft operating systems from Windows Server 2012 through Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2025. The flaw (CWE-122) requires only standard user privileges and no user interaction, making post-compromise escalation straightforward for any attacker who has already obtained local access. No public exploit has been identified at time of analysis, but the Microsoft Security Response Center has issued a patch and the wide affected product surface warrants urgent remediation.
Heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Device Association Service allows a locally authenticated, low-privileged attacker to escalate to SYSTEM-level privileges across a broad range of Windows desktop and server releases. Affected versions span Windows 10 1607 through Windows 11 25H2 and Windows Server 2016 through 2025, making this a high-coverage local privilege escalation. No public exploit identified at time of analysis, but vendor patches are available and should be applied immediately given the low attack complexity.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows NTFS kernel driver (ntfs.sys) affects virtually the entire Microsoft Windows product portfolio, from legacy Server 2012 through Windows 11 25H2 and Server 2025. A locally authenticated, low-privileged attacker can trigger memory corruption in ring-0 kernel space, resulting in full SYSTEM-level privilege acquisition on the target host. No public exploit code or active exploitation has been identified at time of analysis, and Microsoft has released patches across all affected product lines via the MSRC update guide.
Heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Universal Disk Format File System Driver (UDFS) enables kernel-level code execution through physical insertion of maliciously crafted UDF media, affecting every supported Windows client and server release from Server 2012 through Windows 11 26H1. The physical attack vector (AV:P) is the dominant risk constraint - a vendor patch is available from Microsoft and the vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV. No public exploit has been identified at time of analysis, though the breadth of affected builds and the kernel execution context make this high priority in environments where physical access is not strictly controlled.
Windows Storage in multiple Windows 11 and Windows Server releases contains a heap-based buffer overflow that allows any locally authenticated low-privilege user to escalate to SYSTEM-level access with no user interaction required. The CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) confirms this is a straightforward, low-complexity privilege escalation once an attacker has a local foothold - covering Windows 11 versions 23H2 through 26H1 and Windows Server 2022 and 2025. Microsoft has released patches across all affected product lines; no public exploit code and no CISA KEV listing have been identified at time of analysis.
Privilege escalation in Windows Remote Desktop Services stems from a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) that an authorized local attacker can exploit to gain full SYSTEM-level control of the affected host. The vulnerability spans an exceptionally wide range of Microsoft Windows versions - from Windows Server 2012 through Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2025 - making the aggregate patch surface very large across enterprise fleets. No public exploit code or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis; a vendor-released patch is available through the Microsoft Security Response Center.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows MIDI Service Module affects Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1 prior to their respective patched builds. An attacker with an existing low-privileged local account can exploit this flaw to achieve full SYSTEM-level access, gaining high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact with no user interaction required. No public exploit has been identified at time of analysis; Microsoft has released patches via the MSRC advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-62688.
Local privilege escalation in Windows HTTP.sys enables authenticated local attackers to gain SYSTEM-level access across a sweeping range of Windows client and server releases, from Windows 10 1607 through Windows 11 25H2 and Windows Server 2012 through 2025. An integer overflow in the kernel-mode HTTP driver triggers a heap-based buffer overflow (consistent with both the CWE-122 classification and the vendor-applied 'Heap Overflow' tag), allowing an attacker with an existing low-privilege local foothold to corrupt kernel heap structures and achieve full code execution as SYSTEM. No public exploit code has been identified and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog at time of analysis, though the extremely broad affected surface and low attack complexity make timely patching a high priority for enterprise environments.
Local privilege escalation in the Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) Core Library enables any standard authenticated local user to gain full SYSTEM-level control across a wide range of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server deployments. The vulnerability arises from a type confusion condition in the DWM Core Library - though the CWE-122 classification and vendor tags ('Heap Overflow', 'Buffer Overflow') indicate the confusion likely manifests through or triggers a heap-based memory corruption primitive. Microsoft has released patches across all affected versions; no public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Kernel (CWE-122) affects a broad span of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server releases from 2016 through 2025. An authenticated local attacker exploiting this flaw can gain SYSTEM-level privileges, achieving full control over confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the target system. No public exploit code and no active exploitation (CISA KEV) have been identified at time of analysis; a vendor patch is available.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows USB Driver (CWE-122) affects a broad range of Microsoft Windows client and server platforms, from Windows Server 2012 through Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2025. An authenticated local attacker with low privileges can exploit this kernel-mode heap corruption to achieve full system compromise - gaining complete confidentiality, integrity, and availability over the affected host. Microsoft has released patches across all affected versions via the MSRC advisory; no public exploit has been identified at time of analysis.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Display Enhancement Service allows a local low-privileged attacker to gain SYSTEM-level control across a broad swath of Windows desktop and server releases. The vulnerability carries a CVSS 7.8 High score with full confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact upon successful exploitation. No public exploit code has been identified and it is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog at time of analysis, but the breadth of affected versions - spanning Windows 10 through Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2019 through 2025 - makes patching a meaningful operational priority.
Windows Hyper-V across a broad range of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server releases contains a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) that enables a locally authenticated low-privileged attacker to disclose confidential memory contents. The CVSS vector (AV:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N) constrains the attack to local access with required user interaction and produces no integrity or availability impact. No public exploit has been identified and this vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog at the time of analysis.
Privilege escalation via heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Storage subsystem affects a wide range of Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022/2025 builds. An attacker already holding a standard (low-privileged) local user account can exploit the memory corruption flaw to gain full SYSTEM-level control - no user interaction or elevated starting privileges required beyond basic logon. Microsoft has released patches across all affected branches; no public exploit code or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis, but the low attack complexity (AC:L) makes this a credible post-access escalation primitive.