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Windows DHCP Server EUVDEUVD-2026-100103

| CVE-2026-88171 HIGH
Double Free (CWE-415)
2026-10-13 secure@microsoft.com GHSA-jm2p-4c23-6fmj
8.1
CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: microsoft
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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Reach DHCP service over network
  2. Delivery
    Send crafted DHCP messages
  3. Exploit
    Trigger double free in handler
  4. Execution
    Groom heap for control
  5. Impact
    Execute arbitrary code on server

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Double free prevention
Exploitation Conditions

The target must be a Windows Server (2012 through 2025, including Server Core, and certain Windows 10 builds) with the DHCP Server role installed and reachable on the network; exploitation involves sending crafted DHCP traffic to the service. The CVSS vector confirms no authentication (PR:N) and no user interaction (UI:N), so default DHCP deployments are exposed to any network-adjacent attacker. The key limiting factor is HIGH attack complexity (AC:H): reliably triggering and weaponizing the double free requires precise heap state manipulation or winning a race condition, so exploitation is not trivially repeatable. Hosts not running the DHCP Server role are not affected.

Impact

This is a genuinely serious but not top-tier-urgent flaw. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 reflects network-reachable (AV:N), unauthenticated (PR:N), no-user-interaction (UI:N) code execution with total CIA impact, but the HIGH attack complexity (AC:H) is the decisive signal - successful exploitation of a CWE-415 double free requires winning a race or achieving precise heap grooming, which materially lowers reliable exploitability. CISA's SSVC framework corroborates a lower operational urgency: Exploitation=none, Automatable=no, Technical Impact=total - i.e., maximum damage if exploited, but no observed exploitation and no reliable mass-automation path. There is no CISA KEV listing and no POC indicated in the provided data, so this is not confirmed as actively exploited. No EPSS score was supplied, so probabilistic exploitation likelihood cannot be incorporated. Net: a high-impact RCE in a core Windows Server role that warrants prompt patching, but the AC:H barrier plus 'Exploitation: none / Automatable: no' indicate this is currently a patch-on-cycle priority rather than an emergency, absent new exploitation signals.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

A remote, unauthenticated attacker with network reachability to a Windows Server running the DHCP Server role sends a sequence of crafted DHCP messages designed to trigger a double free (CWE-415) in the service's memory handling. By carefully controlling heap state and timing, the attacker corrupts memory to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the DHCP service. No public exploit code is identified at time of analysis, and the HIGH attack complexity means exploitation requires reliable heap grooming or race-window control.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 0.7% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Oct 13, 2026

Remote code execution in Microsoft Windows DHCP Server allows unauthenticated network attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected servers by triggering a double free, though exploitation requires high attack complexity (AC:H) due to precise heap manipulation or a race condition. Affected systems include Windows Server 2012 through 2025 (including Server Core) and certain Windows 10 builds that have the DHCP Server role installed and reachable. No public exploit has been identified at time of analysis, and a vendor patch is available; this is a serious but not top-tier-urgent flaw given the exploitation complexity.

RemediationAI

Vendor-released patch: apply the latest Microsoft security update that brings affected systems to or above the fixed builds: Windows Server 2012 6.2.9200.26434, 2012 R2 6.3.9600.23470, 2016 10.0.14393.9612, 2019 10.0.17763.9376, 2022 10.0.20348.5761, 2025 10.0.26100.33650, Windows 10 1607 10.0.14393.9612, and Windows 10 1809 10.0.17763.9376. See the Microsoft Security Response Center advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-88171 for specific patch details. If the DHCP Server role is not required, remove it to eliminate exposure; if it is required, patching is the primary mitigation. Network segmentation can limit attack surface, but DHCP's broadcast nature makes direct filtering difficult and may disrupt legitimate clients. Monitoring for unusual DHCP traffic or crashes in the DHCP service can provide detection opportunities. No public exploit is known, but defenders should prioritize patching internet-facing or multi-tenant DHCP servers.

Affected VersionsENISA

Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) 6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.23470
Windows Server 2022 10.0.20348.0 <10.0.20348.5761
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.33650
Windows Server 2016 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9612
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9376
Windows Server 2019 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9376
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26434
Windows 10 Version 1809 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9376
Windows 10 Version 1607 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9612
Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.33650
Windows Server 2012 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26434
Windows Server 2012 R2 6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.23470
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9612

Affected Packages

euvd windows_10_version_1607 fix: 10.0.14393.9612
euvd windows_10_version_1809 fix: 10.0.17763.9376
euvd windows_server_2012 fix: 6.2.9200.26434
euvd windows_server_2012_r2 fix: 6.3.9600.23470
euvd windows_server_2012_r2_server_core_installation fix: 6.3.9600.23470
euvd windows_server_2012_server_core_installation fix: 6.2.9200.26434
euvd windows_server_2016 fix: 10.0.14393.9612
euvd windows_server_2016_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.14393.9612
euvd windows_server_2019 fix: 10.0.17763.9376
euvd windows_server_2019_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.17763.9376
euvd windows_server_2022 fix: 10.0.20348.5761
euvd windows_server_2025 fix: 10.0.26100.33650
euvd windows_server_2025_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.26100.33650

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 13 packages in euvd

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

The vulnerability is a double free (CWE-415) in the Windows DHCP Server service, which manages dynamic IP address assignment via the DHCP protocol. A double free occurs when a program frees the same memory address twice, corrupting the heap and potentially allowing an attacker to control execution flow; here the attacker sends crafted DHCP traffic over the network to a server running the DHCP Server role. The CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) indicates the attack is network-accessible and unauthenticated, but the high attack complexity reflects the difficulty of reliably controlling heap state or winning a race condition to weaponize the double free. Affected platforms include Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025 (including Server Core installations) as well as Windows 10 versions 1607 and 1809; exact affected build ranges are provided in the EUVD data. Hosts without the DHCP Server role are not vulnerable.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

Vendor (microsoft) PRIMARY 8.1 HIGH
AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
vuln.today AI 8.1 HIGH

Network-reachable DHCP service with no auth or user interaction (AV:N/PR:N/UI:N); double-free RCE needs heap grooming/race control (AC:H); service-context code execution yields full CIA (C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.1 AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.0 AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft).

CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
High
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

Lifecycle Timeline

2
Patch available
Oct 13, 2026 - 20:20 EUVD
CVE Published
Oct 13, 2026 - 19:21 cve.org
HIGH 8.1

DescriptionCVE.org

Double free in Windows DHCP Server allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

A high-severity remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft Windows DHCP Server affects Windows Server 2012 through 2025 (including Server Core) and certain Windows 10 systems with the DHCP Server role installed and network-reachable. Successful exploitation could allow arbitrary code execution on critical network infrastructure, disrupting IP address assignment and potentially enabling broader lateral movement, though exploitation requires high attack complexity and no public exploit identified at time of analysis. Patch available per vendor advisory; leadership should prioritize exposed DHCP servers because they are foundational to network availability.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.7%
Top 48% exploitable
Prevalence
High
DHCP Server is a common role across widely-deployed Windows Server fleets
Threat Intel
1
1 sources
Vendor Status
Publicly Disclosed:No
Exploited:No
Latest Software Release:Exploitation Less Likely
Data Quality
4 sources
Confidence: Medium

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.7%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision
Scheduled
Exploitation
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable
No
Human Impact
High
Technical Impact
Total

Priority Score

41
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: +1
CVSS: +40
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0
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