Description
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows GDI allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
Published: 2026-05-12
Score: 7.8 High
EPSS: n/a
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

A heap‑based buffer overflow in the Windows GDI subsystem permits a local attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the compromised process. Because GDI handles graphical data from third‑party files and applications, a malicious file can trigger the overflow and replace existing heap data, providing the attacker a foothold for arbitrary code execution. The flaw aligns with CWE‑122 and can lead to full compromise of the affected machine if the attacker can obtain local access or social‑engineer a user into opening a crafted payload.

Affected Systems

Microsoft Windows 10 versions 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2; Windows 11 versions 22H3, 23H2, 24H2, 25H2, 26H1; Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2; Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025; Windows Server 23H2 edition; and corresponding Server Core installations. All cited builds are impacted by the GDI buffer overflow flaw.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.8 indicates a high risk when the vulnerability is active. EPSS data is not available, but the flaw does not require privileged execution and can be triggered by a malicious document or image, meaning an attacker with local access or the ability to trick a user may exploit it. The vulnerability is not listed in CISA's KEV catalog, suggesting no confirmed public exploits as of this analysis. Nonetheless, the high severity and ease of local exploitation warrant prompt remediation.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on May 12, 2026 at 19:30 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply the latest Windows security updates that contain the GDI buffer‑overflow fix as published by Microsoft.
  • Reboot the affected systems after updating to activate the patch and clear any lingering GDI state.
  • Continue to monitor for anomalous graphics processing activity and enforce least‑privilege policies to limit local user privileges where feasible.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on May 12, 2026 at 19:30 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Tue, 12 May 2026 21:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Tue, 12 May 2026 17:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows GDI allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
Title Windows GDI Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
First Time appeared Microsoft
Microsoft windows 10 1607
Microsoft windows 10 1809
Microsoft windows 10 21h2
Microsoft windows 10 22h2
Microsoft windows 11 23h2
Microsoft windows 11 24h2
Microsoft windows 11 25h2
Microsoft windows 11 26h1
Microsoft windows Server 2012
Microsoft windows Server 2012 R2
Microsoft windows Server 2016
Microsoft windows Server 2019
Microsoft windows Server 2022
Microsoft windows Server 2025
Microsoft windows Server 23h2
Weaknesses CWE-122
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21H2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22H2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_23H2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_23H2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24H2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25H2:*:*:*:*:*:*:arm64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_26H1:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012_R2:*:*:*:*:*:*:x64:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_23h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Microsoft
Microsoft windows 10 1607
Microsoft windows 10 1809
Microsoft windows 10 21h2
Microsoft windows 10 22h2
Microsoft windows 11 23h2
Microsoft windows 11 24h2
Microsoft windows 11 25h2
Microsoft windows 11 26h1
Microsoft windows Server 2012
Microsoft windows Server 2012 R2
Microsoft windows Server 2016
Microsoft windows Server 2019
Microsoft windows Server 2022
Microsoft windows Server 2025
Microsoft windows Server 23h2
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C'}


Subscriptions

Microsoft Windows 10 1607 Windows 10 1809 Windows 10 21h2 Windows 10 22h2 Windows 11 23h2 Windows 11 24h2 Windows 11 25h2 Windows 11 26h1 Windows Server 2012 Windows Server 2012 R2 Windows Server 2016 Windows Server 2019 Windows Server 2022 Windows Server 2025 Windows Server 23h2
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: microsoft

Published:

Updated: 2026-05-12T19:36:03.750Z

Reserved: 2026-04-02T19:21:11.804Z

Link: CVE-2026-35421

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-05-12T19:35:28.786Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-05-12T18:17:12.703

Modified: 2026-05-12T18:17:12.703

Link: CVE-2026-35421

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-05-12T19:45:15Z

Weaknesses