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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY
8.8 HIGH
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CIRCL (temporal)
7.7 HIGH
cvss

Primary rating from NVD.

CVSS VectorNVD

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
Required
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

Lifecycle Timeline

1
Analysis Generated
Jun 09, 2026 - 18:42 vuln.today

DescriptionNVD

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

AnalysisAI

Remote code execution in Microsoft Remote Desktop Client is possible when a victim connects to an attacker-controlled or compromised RDP server, triggering a heap-based buffer overflow that runs attacker code in the client's context. The flaw (CWE-416 use-after-free / heap corruption) carries CVSS 8.8 and requires user interaction, with no public exploit identified at time of analysis. …

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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata

Recon
Stand up malicious RDP server
Delivery
Phish victim with .rdp lure
Exploit
Victim connects outbound to attacker
Install
Server sends crafted RDP PDU
C2
Trigger heap use-after-free in client
Execute
Execute code in user session
Impact
Establish foothold on workstation

Vulnerability AssessmentAI

Exploitation The victim must initiate an RDP connection from a vulnerable Remote Desktop Client to an attacker-controlled or compromised RDP server (UI:R in the CVSS vector confirms required user interaction such as opening an .rdp file, clicking a rdp:// URI, or manually connecting). … Additional conditions and limiting factors are described in the full assessment.
Risk Assessment CVSS 8.8 with AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H paints a high-severity remote unauthenticated picture, but the UI:R component is load-bearing: the victim must initiate or accept an RDP connection to a malicious server, so this is not a wormable server-side flaw like BlueKeep. … Full risk analysis with EPSS, KEV, and SSVC signal comparison available after sign-in.
Exploit Scenario An attacker stands up a malicious RDP server and lures a target - for example via a phishing email with an .rdp attachment, a malicious shortcut, or a watering-hole link - to connect to it. On connection, the rogue server sends crafted RDP protocol data that triggers the heap corruption in the client, executing attacker code in the user's session on the victim workstation. …
Remediation Apply the Microsoft patch referenced in the MSRC update guide at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-42985 (patch available per vendor advisory; consult the advisory for the exact KB and build numbers per Windows SKU). … Detailed patch versions, workarounds, and compensating controls in full report.

Recommended ActionAI

Within 24 hours: Conduct an inventory of all Microsoft Remote Desktop Client deployments and affected user populations to quantify organizational exposure. …

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CVE-2026-42985 vulnerability details – vuln.today

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