# CVE-2026-73023: Microsoft Windows Imaging Component heap overflow

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-73023-microsoft-windows-imaging-component-heap-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-2026-73023 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.8 · Published 2026-09-08

Windows Imaging Component is a core Windows system library used to process and manipulate image files. A heap-based buffer overflow in this component allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system, potentially compromising the entire computer and enabling theft of sensitive data or deployment of malware.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Imaging Component](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-imaging-component). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-73023 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-73023 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-73023?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 8 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Imaging Component.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-73023?** 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-2026-73023 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-73023?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Imaging Component. 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 the Windows Imaging Component, a library responsible for image processing in Windows. The vulnerability can be triggered remotely when a user opens a specially crafted image file, allowing an attacker to overwrite heap memory and achieve arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected user. No authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability; a network-accessible attack vector enables exploitation through malicious image files delivered via email, web browsers, or other means. While not currently exploited in the wild at time of disclosure, patches are available from Microsoft.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Imaging Component

## Timeline

- 2026-09-08: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-73023](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-73023)

## Related threats

- [Windows Imaging Component heap overflow allows network code execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96164-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-windows-imaging-component-allows-an)
- [Windows Imaging Component out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96859-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-imaging-component-allows-an)
- [Windows Imaging Component heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-77496-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-windows-imaging-component-allows-an)
- [Windows Imaging Component heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-69886-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-windows-imaging-component-allows-an)
- [Microsoft Windows Imaging Component heap buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83992-microsoft-windows-imaging-component-heap-buffer-overflow)