# CVE-2026-48574: Microsoft Windows Media heap buffer overflow

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-48574-microsoft-windows-media-heap-buffer-overflow  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-09. Updated: 2026-06-09  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-48574 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-06-09

A security vulnerability exists in Windows Media, the component responsible for playing audio and video files on Windows systems. An attacker could exploit this flaw to gain full control over a user's computer if the user is tricked into opening a specially crafted malicious media file. This could lead to the theft of sensitive data, installation of malware, or a complete system takeover.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Media Player](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-media-player). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-48574 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-48574 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-48574?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 9 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Media.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-48574?** 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-2026-48574 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-48574?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Media Player. 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 (CWE-122) exists within the Windows Media component. The vulnerability is triggered when the application improperly handles a specially crafted media file, leading to memory corruption. While the attack vector is local, it requires user interaction (UI:R), typically involving a user opening a malicious file provided by the attacker. Successful exploitation allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-in user, potentially leading to a full system compromise. Microsoft has released information regarding this vulnerability via their Security Update Guide.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Media

## Timeline

- 2026-06-09: disclosed
- 2026-06-09: advisory

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-48574](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-48574)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows Media Player heap buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-88229-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-windows-media-player-allows-an)
- [Windows Media Player heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96096-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-windows-media-player-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Windows Media Player heap buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-72960-microsoft-windows-media-player-heap-buffer-overflow)
- [Microsoft Windows Media Player heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-70203-microsoft-windows-media-player-heap-based-buffer-overflow)