# CVE-2026-72997: Microsoft Windows Biometric Service heap buffer overflow

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-72997-microsoft-windows-biometric-service-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-2026-72997 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-09-08

Windows Biometric Service is a core Windows component that manages fingerprint, facial, and iris recognition for user authentication. A heap buffer overflow vulnerability allows a logged-in user to execute arbitrary code and escalate their privileges to administrator level, potentially compromising system security and enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Biometric Service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-biometric-service). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## 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

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72997](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72997)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows Biometric Service heap buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83988-microsoft-windows-biometric-service-heap-buffer-overflow)
- [Microsoft Windows Biometric Service heap buffer overflow privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83987-microsoft-windows-biometric-service-heap-buffer-overflow)
- [Microsoft Windows Biometric Service heap buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83985-microsoft-windows-biometric-service-heap-buffer-overflow)
- [Microsoft Windows Biometric Service heap buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83981-microsoft-windows-biometric-service-heap-buffer-overflow)
- [Microsoft Windows Biometric Service heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83980-microsoft-windows-biometric-service-heap-based-buffer-overflow)