CVE-2026-83920

7.8High

Published 13 Oct 2026 · NVD status: Awaiting Analysis · AI triage by gemini-3.8-flash

7.8High

Attack vector: Local
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: Low
User interaction: None
Impact: Full C/I/A compromise
Weakness: CWE-122

Impact

A local attacker with existing user credentials can escalate privileges to execute code with elevated system permissions. They require local access or valid standard user credentials to trigger the flaw.

Root cause

A heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Search Component improperly handles memory allocation, allowing attackers to corrupt memory and hijack execution flow.

Affected systems

Versions not listed — check the vendor advisory.

CVSS v3.1 · CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Fix & remediation

Check the MSRC guide for the specific KB patch release for your Windows build and apply it. If patching immediately is impossible, disable the Windows Search service (WSearch) via service configuration as a temporary mitigation.

shell

$ powershell -Command "Stop-Service -Name WSearch -PassThru; Set-Service -Name WSearch -StartupType Disabled"

AI-suggested. Run it in staging first and check it against the vendor advisory. Why?

Ad · In-content banner

NVD description

Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Windows Search Component allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

References

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-83920

Source: nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-83920