# CVE-2026-72957: Microsoft Windows Deployment Services heap buffer overflow

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-72957-microsoft-windows-deployment-services-heap-buffer-overflow  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-08. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-72957 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-09-08

Windows Deployment Services is a Microsoft server component used to provision and manage Windows installations across networks. A heap-based buffer overflow in this service allows an authorized user with local access to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the deployment infrastructure and any systems it manages.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Deployment Services](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-deployment-services). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-72957 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-72957 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-72957?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 8 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Deployment Services <UNKNOWN>.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-72957?** 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-2026-72957 attacked?** It is attacked with local access or from the adjacent network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-72957?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Deployment Services at an affected version. 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 vulnerability exists in Windows Deployment Services, triggered by improper input validation when handling specially crafted requests. An authorized local attacker can craft malicious input that overflows a heap buffer, allowing arbitrary code execution in the context of the affected service. The vulnerability requires authentication and local network access to exploit. Microsoft has released patches to address this issue; administrators should apply the security update immediately to prevent potential lateral movement and system compromise.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Deployment Services <UNKNOWN>

## Timeline

- 2026-09-08: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72957](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72957)

## Related threats

- [Windows Deployment Services use-after-free code execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-119951-use-after-free-in-windows-deployment-services-allows-an)
- [Windows Deployment Services relative path traversal](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118213-relative-path-traversal-in-windows-deployment-services-allows-an)
- [Windows Deployment Services relative path traversal information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-113818-relative-path-traversal-in-windows-deployment-services-allows-an)
- [Windows Deployment Services privilege management information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-112977-improper-privilege-management-in-windows-deployment-services)
- [Windows Deployment Services heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-105558-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-windows-deployment-services-allows)