# CVE-2026-118144: Microsoft Windows Smart Card heap buffer overflow

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118144-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-windows-smart-card-allows-an  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-11-10. Updated: 2026-11-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-118144 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.6 · Published 2026-11-10

Windows Smart Card is a system component that manages authentication and cryptographic operations for smart card readers. A heap buffer overflow vulnerability allows an authorized attacker with physical access to a smart card reader to execute arbitrary code and elevate privileges on the system.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Smart Card](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-smart-card). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-118144 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-118144 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-118144?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.6, published 10 November 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Smart Card.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-118144?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-118144 attacked?** It is attacked with physical access.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-118144?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Smart Card. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A heap-based buffer overflow exists in the Windows Smart Card component that can be triggered by an authorized attacker with physical access to the smart card interface. The vulnerability allows an attacker to overwrite heap memory and achieve privilege escalation. The attack requires authorization to use the smart card and physical proximity to a card reader.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Smart Card

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-118144](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-118144)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows Smart Card privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-119383-use-of-uninitialized-resource-in-windows-smart-card-allows-an)
- [Windows Smart Card heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-112794-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-windows-smart-card-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Windows Smart Card privilege escalation via untrusted search path](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-69785-microsoft-windows-smart-card-privilege-escalation-via-untrusted)