# CVE-2026-96157: Microsoft Windows Media Foundation heap-based buffer overflow

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96157-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-microsoft-windows-media-foundation  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-11-10. Updated: 2026-11-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-96157 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-11-10

Windows Media Foundation is a core Windows component that processes audio and video files. A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on affected systems over the network by sending a specially crafted media file. This could lead to complete system compromise without requiring user action beyond opening a malicious file.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Media Foundation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-media-foundation). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-96157 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96157 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-96157?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 10 November 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Media Foundation.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96157?** 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-2026-96157 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-96157?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Media Foundation. 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 Microsoft Windows Media Foundation's media processing logic. An attacker can trigger memory corruption by crafting a malicious media file and delivering it over the network, achieving remote code execution with high integrity. The vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction beyond file processing.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Media Foundation

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96157](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96157)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows Media Foundation heap buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-122168-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-microsoft-windows-media-foundation)
- [Microsoft Windows Media Foundation privilege escalation via deserialization](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96186-deserialization-of-untrusted-data-in-microsoft-windows-media)
- [Microsoft Windows Media Foundation heap overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-83517-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-microsoft-windows-media-foundation)
- [Microsoft Windows Media Foundation out-of-bounds read](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-70044-out-of-bounds-read-in-microsoft-windows-media-foundation-allows)
- [Microsoft Windows Media Foundation heap buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-69601-microsoft-windows-media-foundation-heap-buffer-overflow)