Microsoft Windows Paint: Remote code execution (CVE-2026-83844)
A critical remote code execution vulnerability (CVE-2026-83844) in Microsoft Windows Paint allows attackers to execute arbitrary code when a victim opens a specially crafted image file.
CVE search metadata
CVE search record: CVE-2026-83844. Severity: high. CVSS: 8.1. EPSS: 0.73%. KEV: no. Product: Paint (< 11.2609.401.0). Brief: Microsoft Windows Paint: Remote code execution (CVE-2026-83844). Brief link: https://feed.craftedsignal.io/briefs/2026-11-windows-paint-rce/
Triage facts
Revision 1- Applicability
- Paint (< 11.2609.401.0)
- Evidence
- Unknown
- Severity
- High
- Action
- Elevated
- Sources
- 1 public source
- Freshness
- Revision 1Nov 6, 11:17 UTC
- Vulnerabilities
- 1 CVE
- Source quality
- A1Roughly even chance
A vulnerability (CVE-2026-83844) exists in Microsoft Windows Paint, rated with a risk score of 8.1. An attacker can exploit this flaw by enticing a user to open a specially crafted image file within the application. Successful exploitation permits the execution of arbitrary commands, enabling unauthorized access, data manipulation, or the installation of malicious software. No active exploitation has been reported as of the date of the advisory.
Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker to gain control over the affected system, enabling the viewing, modification, or deletion of data and the execution of arbitrary programs.
Recommendation
- Update Microsoft Windows Paint to version 11.2609.401.0 or later via the Microsoft Store or standard Windows update channels.
- If the application version is unknown, conduct an inventory of installed software versions to identify systems requiring updates.
Immediate actions
Update Microsoft Windows Paint to version 11.2609.401.0 or later on all managed endpoints.
Threat Hunt
Monitor for Paint.exe spawning child processes (e.g., cmd.exe, powershell.exe, wscript.exe) which is indicative of malicious payload execution.
Data: Sysmon Event ID 1 (Process Creation)
Mitigations
Deploy update to version 11.2609.401.0
CVE-2026-83844