CVE-2026-83904 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 10/14/2026
Out-of-bounds read in HID Parser Library allows an authorized attacker to disclose information locally.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2026
The vulnerability identified within the Human Interface Device (HID) Parser Library represents a critical memory safety flaw classified as an out-of-bounds read, which corresponds directly to Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-125. This specific type of error occurs when software attempts to access data at a memory location that is outside the boundaries of the intended buffer or array structure. In the context of HID parsing, this typically involves processing complex descriptor reports from input devices such as keyboards, mice, game controllers, or specialized industrial peripherals. The parser library is responsible for interpreting these binary descriptors to understand how device inputs should be mapped and processed by the operating system. When a malformed or maliciously crafted HID report descriptor is provided, the parsing logic may miscalculate offsets or lengths due to insufficient validation of input parameters, leading it to read memory addresses that do not belong to the current execution context or allocated buffer space.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows an authorized attacker with local access to the system to disclose sensitive information contained in adjacent memory regions. Because the flaw is triggered during the parsing phase, which often occurs when a device is connected or when its descriptor data is queried by the operating system's input stack, exploitation can be achieved through physical interaction or via compromised peripheral firmware. The disclosure of this internal memory content can reveal cryptographic keys, session tokens, user credentials, or other proprietary application data residing in nearby memory blocks. This constitutes a significant confidentiality breach as it bypasses standard access controls by leveraging low-level memory corruption techniques that are difficult to detect using traditional security monitoring tools.
The attack vector aligns with several tactics within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to collection and credential dumping through peripheral devices. Attackers may utilize this flaw in conjunction with other techniques such as HID injection or malicious firmware updates on connected peripherals to maximize impact. The requirement for local authorization means that remote exploitation is not directly possible without an initial foothold, but the ease of physical access makes it a viable threat model for insider threats or attackers who have gained brief physical proximity to unattended workstations.
Mitigation strategies must focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary defense involves applying vendor-provided patches that update the HID Parser Library with stricter bounds checking and input validation routines. Developers should ensure that all offsets, lengths, and report IDs derived from external descriptors are rigorously validated against expected maximums before being used in memory access operations. Additionally, implementing Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) can mitigate the impact of information disclosure by making it harder for attackers to predict target addresses, although this does not prevent the initial read itself. Security teams should also enforce strict device control policies that restrict which HID devices are permitted to connect to critical systems and monitor for anomalous behavior in input stack processing logs. Regular audits of third-party libraries used for hardware interaction are essential to identify similar memory safety issues before they can be exploited in production environments.