Quick answers
- Is CVE-2026-72997 exploited in the wild?
- No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-72997 being exploited in the wild.
- How severe is CVE-2026-72997?
- High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 8 September 2026.
- Which products and versions are affected?
- Microsoft Windows Biometric Service <UNKNOWN>.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2026-72997?
- 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-2026-72997 attacked?
- It is attacked with local access.
- Am I affected by CVE-2026-72997?
- Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Biometric Service 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 exists in the Windows Biometric Service, a component responsible for processing biometric authentication data. The vulnerability can be exploited by an authenticated local attacker through a specially crafted request, allowing arbitrary code execution within the service's context and subsequent privilege escalation from user to system/SYSTEM level. The attack requires local access and prior authentication but no additional user interaction. Microsoft has issued a patch via its Security Update Guide; affected systems should apply available security updates immediately.
Affected products
- Microsoft Windows Biometric Service <UNKNOWN>
Timeline
- 2026-09-08: disclosed