CVE-2026-83980: Microsoft Windows Biometric Service heap-based buffer overflow

CVE-2026-83980 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-09-08

Windows Biometric Service is a core Windows system component responsible for fingerprint and facial recognition authentication. A heap-based buffer overflow in this service allows an authenticated local user to execute code with elevated privileges, potentially gaining full control of the system.

Technologies: Microsoft Windows Biometric Service. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-83980 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-83980 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-83980?
High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 8 September 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows Biometric Service.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-83980?
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-2026-83980 attacked?
It is attacked with local access.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-83980?
Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Biometric Service. 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 Biometric Service when processing biometric input data. The vulnerability requires an authenticated local attacker with user-level privileges to exploit. By providing specially crafted biometric data or parameters to the service, an attacker can overflow a heap buffer and achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the LocalSystem account, leading to complete privilege escalation. Microsoft has released security patches to address this issue.

Affected products

  • Microsoft Windows Biometric Service

Timeline

  • 2026-09-08: disclosed

References

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