Description

Heap-based buffer overflow in Remote Desktop Client allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "7.5",
  "pubDate": "2026-08-11T17:18:07.777Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-08-11T17:18:07.777Z",
  "executiveSummary": "This vulnerability is classified as a heap-based buffer overflow affecting the Remote Desktop Client. The flaw arises from improper memory management within the application when processing incoming data structures, leading to memory corruption. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows an unauthorized, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the user running the client application.\nThe risk implications are severe, as the vulnerability exposes endpoints to potential compromise over a network without requiring authentication or prior access. An attacker capable of delivering a specially crafted payload to the vulnerable Remote Desktop Client can achieve remote code execution, compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the host system.\nExploitation requirements are minimal regarding credentials, as the attack vector is network-based and does not mandate valid user authentication. However, successful exploitation typically relies on initiating or intercepting a network session where the client processes malicious data streams sent by the attacker.",
  "technicalDetails": "The vulnerability is a heap-based buffer overflow localized within the memory allocation and buffer management routines of the Remote Desktop Client. The root cause stems from the application failing to adequately validate the size parameters of inbound data packets before copying them into dynamically allocated heap buffers. When an oversized input is processed, the destination buffer is overrun, resulting in memory corruption adjacent to the allocation chunk.\nThe vulnerable component is responsible for parsing network protocols and rendering or handling session data within the Remote Desktop Client. Because the parsing logic lacks proper bounds checking, supplying a meticulously crafted sequence of packets allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent heap metadata or function pointers.\nThe attack flow proceeds as follows: First, the unauthorized attacker establishes network connectivity with the target running the Remote Desktop Client, or acts as a malicious server/man-in-the-middle capable of transmitting responses to the client instance. Second, the attacker transmits a specially formatted data stream designed to trigger the memory allocation routine with controlled size descriptors. Third, the client parses the payload, leading to a heap buffer overflow during the memory copy operation. Finally, by carefully structuring the overflow data, the attacker overwrites critical heap structures or execution pointers, redirecting the control flow to execute arbitrary payload instructions supplied within the network stream.\nBecause the execution context inherits the privileges of the user running the Remote Desktop Client, post-exploitation impact includes full code execution under that user security context. This may facilitate lateral movement, installation of persistent backdoors, or access to sensitive local resources, depending on the privileges assigned to the client process."
}