# CVE-2026-97815: Microsoft Windows Error Reporting heap-based buffer overflow

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97815-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-windows-error-reporting-allows-an  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-13. Updated: 2026-10-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-97815 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-10-13

Windows Error Reporting, a system component that collects and reports application crashes to Microsoft, contains a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability. An attacker can exploit this flaw remotely to execute arbitrary code with system privileges, potentially gaining complete control over the affected computer.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-), [Microsoft Windows 10 1607](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10-1607), [Microsoft Windows 10 1809](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10-1809), [Microsoft Windows 10 21h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10-21h2), [Microsoft Windows 10 22h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10-22h2), [Microsoft Windows 11 23h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-23h2), [Microsoft Windows 11 24h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-24h2), [Microsoft Windows 11 25h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-25h2), [Microsoft Windows 11 26h1](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-26h1), [Microsoft Windows 11 26h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-26h2), [Microsoft Windows Server 2012](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2012), [Microsoft Windows Server 2016](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2016), [Microsoft Windows Server 2019](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2019), [Microsoft Windows Server 2022](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2022), [Microsoft Windows Server 2025](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2025). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-97815 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-97815 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-97815?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 13 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows <UNKNOWN>.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-97815?** 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-2026-97815 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-97815?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows 10 1607, Microsoft Windows 10 1809 or one of the others listed 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 in Windows Error Reporting permits remote code execution via network attack vector without requiring authentication or user interaction. The vulnerability allows an attacker to overwrite heap memory and redirect control flow to execute arbitrary code, potentially achieving kernel-level or SYSTEM-level privileges depending on the service context.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows <UNKNOWN>

## Timeline

- 2026-10-13: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-97815](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-97815)

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