Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2026-118144
Published: November 11, 2026
Vulnerability identifier: #VU165041
CSH Severity: Low
CVSS v4: 7 [CVSS:4.0/AV:P/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]
CVE-ID: CVE-2026-118144
CWE-ID: CWE-122
Exploitation vector: Local access
Exploit availability:
No public exploit available
Vulnerability details
The vulnerability allows a user with physical access to system to escalate privileges and execute code with the permissions of the affected Windows service account.
The vulnerability exists due to a heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Smart Card when handling smart card operations. A user with physical access to system can trigger heap memory corruption through a physical attack to execute code with the permissions of the affected Windows service account.
Affected software
Microsoft Windows
Windows Server
Windows Server
How to mitigate CVE-2026-118144
Install security update from vendor's website.
Microsoft Windows - addressed in versions 10 21H2 10.0.19044.7846, 10 22H2 10.0.19045.7846, 10 1607 10.0.14393.9688, 10 1809 10.0.17763.9487, 11 23H2 10.0.22631.7711, 11 24H2 10.0.26100.9911, 11 24H2 10.0.26100.9974, 11 25H2 10.0.26200.9911, 11 25H2 10.0.26200.9974, 11 26H1 10.0.28000.3501
Windows Server - addressed in versions 2016 10.0.14393.9688, 2019 10.0.17763.9487, 2022 10.0.20348.5870, 2025 10.0.26100.33730, 2025 10.0.26100.33822
Windows Server - addressed in versions 2016 10.0.14393.9688, 2019 10.0.17763.9487, 2022 10.0.20348.5870, 2025 10.0.26100.33730, 2025 10.0.26100.33822