Microsoft has addressed a bug that caused games and apps using AC-3 (Dolby Digital) audio decoding to crash after installing the September 2026 Windows 11 preview update.

The vulnerability or weakness

The issue arose due to a problem in the AC-3 (Dolby Digital) audio decoding process, which affected applications that relied on Windows' built-in audio handling.

Earlier attacks and coverage

No earlier related attack in our archive yet.

Business impact

For organizations, this bug could lead to disruptions in operations, particularly for those heavily reliant on audio applications. However, the impact is mitigated by the fact that many modern apps are not affected.

Industries affected

Industries that heavily use audio applications, such as gaming, media, and productivity, are affected.

Users affected

Users running the September 2026 Windows 11 preview update, especially those who use AC-3 encoded audio, may experience crashes or application failures.

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Sources