Executive brief
Windows Overlay Filter is a system component that manages visual layering in the Windows operating system. A heap-based buffer overflow in this component allows an authorized attacker to elevate their privileges to a higher security level, potentially gaining administrative access to the system.
Technical details
This vulnerability is a heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft's Windows Overlay Filter component. The flaw requires authentication and network-based access to exploit, allowing an authorized attacker to overflow a heap buffer and achieve privilege escalation. By corrupting heap memory, an attacker can potentially overwrite critical data structures to gain elevated privileges beyond their current authorization level. Microsoft has issued a security update to address this vulnerability.
Affected products
- Microsoft Windows Overlay Filter
Timeline
- 2026-09-08: disclosed