Skip to main content
View

Attack ChainAIDerived

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

  1. Access
    Obtain low-privilege DNS access
  2. Exploit
    Send crafted DNS query over network
  3. Execution
    Trigger out-of-bounds read in parser
  4. Impact
    Disclose adjacent memory contents

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Bounds checking, read limits
MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique across 1 tactic: Collection

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Exploitation Conditions

Exploitation requires the attacker to already hold low-privilege authorized access to the target Windows DNS Server (PR:L) and network reachability to the DNS service, after which a crafted DNS request triggers the out-of-bounds read to leak server process memory. LIMITING FACTORS: the mandatory pre-existing authorization materially narrows the attacker population versus an unauthenticated flaw; impact is confined to information disclosure (C:H, I:N, A:N) with no code execution or service disruption; and only systems running the Windows DNS Server role within the listed unpatched build ranges are affected. No user interaction is required (UI:N) and attack complexity is low (AC:L). The specific DNS record or query feature that triggers the condition is not disclosed in the vendor advisory.

Impact

This is a moderate-priority information-disclosure flaw, not a top-tier emergency. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, base 6.5) indicates a network-reachable, low-complexity attack that requires an already-authorized (low-privilege) attacker and yields high confidentiality impact with no integrity or availability effect - consistent with the CWE-125 out-of-bounds read and the description's 'authorized attacker' language, so the signals are internally coherent. However, several real-world risk signals are MISSING from the input: no EPSS exploitation-probability score is provided, the CVE is NOT listed in CISA KEV, and no public proof-of-concept is referenced (exploitation status: no public exploit identified at time of analysis). The sole reference is the Microsoft MSRC advisory and the reporter is Microsoft itself (secure@microsoft.com), with no third-party corroboration of active exploitation. The PR:L requirement meaningfully constrains the attacker population - an adversary must already hold some authorized access/credentials to the DNS service - which lowers real-world risk relative to an unauthenticated (PR:N) flaw. Net assessment: a genuine but memory-disclosure-only issue warranting routine prioritized patching across the large Windows DNS Server fleet, rather than drop-everything emergency response, absent any EPSS/KEV/POC evidence of exploitation.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker holding low-privilege authorized access to a Windows DNS Server sends a specially crafted DNS request that triggers an out-of-bounds read, causing the service to return adjacent process memory in its response. Because the CVSS vector is AV:N/AC:L/PR:L, this can be performed over the network with low complexity but requires existing authorization and no user interaction. No public exploit code is identified in the provided data, so exploitation is currently theoretical.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).
Patch available 0.7% exploitation probability (EPSS)

Get an e-mail when this CVE is exploited, patched or re-scored. Free account.

Alert me

AnalysisAIv1 – Oct 13, 2026

Memory disclosure via an out-of-bounds read in the Windows DNS Server service allows a remote, authenticated low-privilege attacker to leak server process memory over the network. Affected deployments are Windows Server 2012 through Windows Server 2025 (including Server Core) and Windows 10/11 builds running the DNS Server role that have not been updated to the fixed builds listed by Microsoft; no public exploit identified at time of analysis. The assessed impact is information disclosure only (CVSS 6.5, C:H/I:N/A:N) with no code execution or denial of service, but leaked memory may expose sensitive data that aids follow-on attacks.

RemediationAI

Vendor-released patch: apply the Microsoft security update listed in the MSRC update guide for CVE-2026-97838 (https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-97838) to bring each affected build to its fixed version as indicated by the EUVD ranges - for example, Windows Server 2025 to 10.0.26100.33650 or later, Windows Server 2022 to 10.0.20348.5761 or later, Windows Server 2019 to 10.0.17763.9376 or later, Windows Server 2016 to 10.0.14393.9612 or later, Windows 11 24H2 to 10.0.26100.9711 or later, and Windows 10 22H2 to 10.0.19044.7807 or later. Because exploitation requires the attacker to already have low-privilege authorized access (PR:L), the most effective compensating controls are to restrict network reachability to the DNS service on TCP/UDP 53 to trusted clients and to enforce least privilege on accounts allowed to query or manage the DNS server; note that narrowing or blocking port 53 access can disrupt name resolution for legitimately dependent clients, so apply ACLs only where client access can be scoped. Additional hardening includes removing the DNS Server role from systems that do not need it, monitoring DNS service logs for anomalous requests and unexpected large responses, and restricting remote management of the DNS service. There is no indication that the specific trigger has been publicly disclosed, so applying the vendor patch within normal moderate-risk timelines is appropriate.

Affected VersionsENISA

Windows 11 Version 24H2 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.9711
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.33650
Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.33650
Windows Server 2016 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9612
Windows 11 Version 23H2 10.0.22631.0 <10.0.22631.7652
Windows 10 Version 1607 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9612
Windows 10 Version 1809 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9376
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 11 Version 26H2 10.0.26300.0 <10.0.26300.9711
Windows 10 Version 21H2 10.0.19044.0 <10.0.19044.7807
Windows Server 2019 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9376
Windows 11 version 26H1 10.0.28000.0 <10.0.28000.3231
Windows 10 Version 22H2 10.0.19045.0 <10.0.19044.7807
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9376
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26434
Windows Server 2012 R2 6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.23470
Windows Server 2012 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26434
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9612
Windows 11 Version 25H2 10.0.26200.0 <10.0.26200.9711

Affected Packages

euvd windows_10_version_1607 fix: 10.0.14393.9612
euvd windows_10_version_1809 fix: 10.0.17763.9376
euvd windows_10_version_21h2 fix: 10.0.19044.7807
euvd windows_10_version_22h2 fix: 10.0.19044.7807
euvd windows_11_version_23h2 fix: 10.0.22631.7652
euvd windows_11_version_24h2 fix: 10.0.26100.9711
euvd windows_11_version_25h2 fix: 10.0.26200.9711
euvd windows_11_version_26h1 fix: 10.0.28000.3231
euvd windows_11_version_26h2 fix: 10.0.26300.9711
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 20 packages in euvd

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

Technical ContextAI · show details

CVE-2026-97838 is an out-of-bounds read (CWE-125) in Microsoft's Windows DNS Server implementation. The DNS service parses wire-format DNS messages; a crafted request triggers a buffer-length or offset miscalculation that causes the service to read past the intended buffer and potentially return server process memory in the response. The CVSS vector is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, so exploitation requires the attacker to already hold low-privilege authorized access (e.g., a valid account permitted to query the DNS service) plus network reachability to the DNS service - this is not an unauthenticated flaw. No user interaction is required and attack complexity is low. The specific DNS record type or query feature that triggers the condition is not disclosed in the vendor advisory. EUVD data lists affected build ranges across Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025 (both Server Core and full installations) and Windows 10 versions 1607, 1809, 21H2, and 22H2 plus Windows 11 versions 23H2, 24H2, 25H2, 26H1, and 26H2, indicating the vulnerable code is present across the supported Windows DNS Server codebase.

Know when Windows gets its next vulnerability

  • Watch products and get an email when something new is published
  • Check this CVE against your own stack and servers
  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

No credit card · 7-day full trial

Severity by source

Vendor (microsoft) PRIMARY 6.5 MEDIUM
AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
vuln.today AI 6.5 MEDIUM

Network-facing DNS service (AV:N, AC:L) requiring existing authorization per the 'authorized attacker' description (PR:L); out-of-bounds read discloses memory (C:H) with no integrity or availability impact.

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

Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft).

CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft

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

Lifecycle Timeline

2
Patch available
Oct 13, 2026 - 20:20 EUVD
CVE Published
Oct 13, 2026 - 19:22 nvd
MEDIUM 6.5

DescriptionCVE.org

Out-of-bounds read in DNS Server allows an authorized attacker to disclose information over a network.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.7%
Top 47% exploitable
Prevalence
High
Windows DNS Server role ubiquitous on enterprise domain controllers and servers
Vendor Status
Publicly Disclosed:No
Exploited:No
Latest Software Release:Exploitation Less Likely
Data Quality
5 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 MEDIUM
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.7%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9)
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· derived
Scheduled
Exploitation
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable
No
Human Impact· derived
Medium
Technical Impact
Partial

Priority Score

33
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: +1
CVSS: +32
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

A buffer overflow occurs when a program writes more data to a memory buffer than it was allocated to hold, causing the excess data to spill into adjacent memory regions.

Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.

CVE-2025-52691 CRITICAL POC
10.0 Dec 29

Unauthenticated remote code execution in SmarterTools SmarterMail lets an attacker upload arbitrary files to any locatio

CVE-2019-0803 HIGH POC
7.8 Apr 09

Windows Win32k fails to properly handle objects in memory, allowing local privilege escalation exploited in the wild in

CVE-2020-1472 MEDIUM POC
5.5 Aug 17

A privilege escalation vulnerability (CVSS 5.5). Risk factors: actively exploited (KEV-listed), EPSS 94% exploitation pr

CVE-2025-33053 HIGH POC
8.8 Jun 10

Windows Internet Shortcut Files (.url) contain an external control vulnerability (CVE-2025-33053, CVSS 8.8) that enables

CVE-2025-33073 HIGH POC
8.8 Jun 10

Windows SMB contains an improper access control vulnerability (CVE-2025-33073, CVSS 8.8) enabling authenticated attacker

CVE-2025-13315 CRITICAL POC
9.3 Nov 19

Twonky Server 8.5.2 on Linux and Windows allows unauthenticated access to the admin log file through a web service API b

CVE-2013-10047 CRITICAL POC
9.3 Aug 01

An unrestricted file upload vulnerability exists in MiniWeb HTTP Server <= Build 300 that allows unauthenticated remote

CVE-2012-10030 CRITICAL POC
9.3 Aug 05

FreeFloat FTP Server contains multiple critical design flaws that allow unauthenticated remote attackers to upload arbit

CVE-2025-34101 CRITICAL POC
9.3 Jul 10

Serviio Media Server versions 1.4 through 1.8 on Windows contain an unauthenticated command injection in the /rest/actio

CVE-2025-13316 HIGH POC
8.2 Nov 19

Twonky Server 8.5.2 uses hard-coded cryptographic keys for encrypting the administrator password. Combined with the cred

CVE-2025-34095 CRITICAL POC
9.3 Jul 10

Mako Server versions 2.5 and 2.6 contain an unauthenticated OS command injection via the tutorial interface at examples/

CVE-2025-11953 CRITICAL POC
9.8 Nov 03

React Native Metro Development Server binds to external interfaces by default and contains an OS command injection endpo

This site uses cookies essential for authentication and security. No tracking or analytics cookies are used. Privacy Policy