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Attack ChainAIDerived

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

  1. Access
    Attacker identifies domain-joined target over network
  2. Delivery
    Delivers crafted request or phishing lure targeting AD component
  3. Exploit
    User interaction triggers vulnerable AD code path
  4. Execution
    Command injection payload injected into OS-level command execution
  5. Persist
    Arbitrary code executes with service-level privileges
  6. Impact
    Full system compromise achieved

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V1 - Encoding and Sanitization Command injection prevention
MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique across 1 tactic: Execution

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

Exploitation Conditions

Exploitation requires that a legitimate user on or connected to the domain perform some triggering interaction - the CVSS UI:R metric is explicit on this point. The exact nature of that interaction (e.g., clicking a crafted link, authenticating via a spoofed page, or processing a malicious LDAP referral) is not specified in the available description, but no prior authentication or privileges are required of the attacker (PR:N). The vulnerability is reachable over the network (AV:N), meaning the attacker does not require local or adjacent access. Limiting factors: exploitation cannot succeed without the required user interaction, which raises the bar above fully automated exploitation; systems not running Active Directory Domain Services or not joined to a domain may not expose the vulnerable component in the same way. Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 are included in the affected range, suggesting the flaw is not confined to modern AD implementations.

Impact

The CVSS 8.8 score is well-supported by the underlying vector: network-accessible (AV:N), low complexity (AC:L), no prior privileges (PR:N), with full CIA triad impact. The sole friction factor is UI:R - user interaction is required - which meaningfully reduces opportunistic mass exploitation compared to a fully automated wormable vector. EPSS data was not provided in the input; absent that signal, risk prioritization should rely on KEV status (not listed) and the extensive affected version range. The scope covers virtually every Windows version in active enterprise use today, including Server 2025 and Windows 11 26H1, making patch surface management nontrivial. No public exploit or CISA KEV listing exists at time of analysis, so this should be treated as high-priority patching rather than emergency incident response. The combination of no required privileges and network accessibility does, however, make this a compelling target for threat actors capable of engineering the user interaction step - for example, via phishing. CVSS indicates network vector and no privileges, consistent with the description's framing of an 'unauthorized attacker over a network,' so no vector conflict is apparent.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker sends a crafted network request to an Active Directory service endpoint on a target Windows system. The attacker then induces a domain user - via phishing email or malicious web content - to trigger an interaction that causes the vulnerable AD component to process the attacker-controlled input. The command injection payload executes in the context of the service, granting the attacker arbitrary code execution with full CIA impact on the target system. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, but the low attack complexity and no-privilege prerequisite make this a realistic threat for motivated actors capable of executing the social engineering step.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 0.8% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Aug 11, 2026

Command injection in Windows Active Directory enables network-based remote code execution against a broad range of Windows client and server versions, from legacy Server 2012 through Windows 11 26H1 and Server 2025. With a CVSS 8.8 and a vector of AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R, an unauthenticated remote attacker can execute arbitrary commands on affected systems when a local user performs a triggering action - such as processing a crafted request or interacting with attacker-controlled content that reaches the vulnerable AD component. No public exploit or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis, but Microsoft has released patches across all affected branches.

RemediationAI

Apply the vendor-released patches from Microsoft for each affected Windows version as enumerated in EUVD-2026-56302. The specific fixed builds are: Windows 10 22H2 → 10.0.19045.7663, Windows 10 21H2 → 10.0.19044.7663, Windows 10 1809/Server 2019 → 10.0.17763.9115, Windows 10 1607/Server 2016 → 10.0.14393.9418, Windows 11 23H2 → 10.0.22631.7517, Windows 11 24H2/Server 2025 → 10.0.26100.9168 (client) and 10.0.26100.33296 (server), Windows 11 25H2 → 10.0.26200.9168, Windows 11 26H1 → 10.0.28000.2704, Server 2022 → 10.0.20348.5499, Server 2012/Server Core → 6.2.9200.26279, Server 2012 R2/Server Core → 6.3.9600.23337. Consult the Microsoft Security Response Center advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-49179 for the applicable KB article per build. As a compensating control where immediate patching is not feasible, restrict network access to Active Directory services (TCP/UDP 389, 636, 3268, 3269, 88, 445) from untrusted network segments - note this may disrupt domain authentication for non-domain-member clients. User awareness training to avoid interacting with unsolicited prompts or links involving domain authentication flows can reduce the likelihood of the required user interaction being triggered.

Affected VersionsENISA

Windows 10 Version 22H2 10.0.19045.0 <10.0.19045.7663
Windows 11 Version 23H2 10.0.22631.0 <10.0.22631.7517
Windows 10 Version 1809 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9115
Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.33296
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.33296
Windows 10 Version 21H2 10.0.19044.0 <10.0.19044.7663
Windows 11 Version 24H2 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.9168
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26279
Windows Server 2016 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9418
Windows 11 version 26H1 10.0.28000.0 <10.0.28000.2704
Windows 11 Version 25H2 10.0.26200.0 <10.0.26200.9168
Windows Server 2022 10.0.20348.0 <10.0.20348.5499
Windows 10 Version 1607 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9418
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9115
Windows Server 2019 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9115
Windows Server 2012 R2 6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.23337
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9418
Windows Server 2012 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26279
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) 6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.23337

Affected Packages

euvd windows_10_version_1607 fix: 10.0.14393.9418
euvd windows_10_version_1809 fix: 10.0.17763.9115
euvd windows_10_version_21h2 fix: 10.0.19044.7663
euvd windows_10_version_22h2 fix: 10.0.19045.7663
euvd windows_11_version_23h2 fix: 10.0.22631.7517
euvd windows_11_version_24h2 fix: 10.0.26100.9168
euvd windows_11_version_25h2 fix: 10.0.26200.9168
euvd windows_11_version_26h1 fix: 10.0.28000.2704
euvd windows_server_2012 fix: 6.2.9200.26279
euvd windows_server_2012_r2 fix: 6.3.9600.23337
euvd windows_server_2012_r2_server_core_installation fix: 6.3.9600.23337
euvd windows_server_2012_server_core_installation fix: 6.2.9200.26279
euvd windows_server_2016 fix: 10.0.14393.9418
euvd windows_server_2016_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.14393.9418
euvd windows_server_2019 fix: 10.0.17763.9115
euvd windows_server_2019_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.17763.9115
euvd windows_server_2022 fix: 10.0.20348.5499
euvd windows_server_2025 fix: 10.0.26100.33296
euvd windows_server_2025_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.26100.33296

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 19 packages in euvd

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

Technical ContextAI · show details

CWE-77 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command) describes a root cause where user-supplied input is incorporated into an OS- or interpreter-level command string without sufficient sanitization or escaping. In the context of Windows Active Directory, this class of flaw typically arises in components that construct LDAP queries, DNS operations, Kerberos processing routines, or administrative tooling that pass data to underlying Windows command facilities. The affected product is Windows itself across 19 distinct build ranges - spanning Windows 10 (build 14393 through 19045), Windows 11 (22631 through 28000), Windows Server 2012/2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025 - as enumerated in EUVD-2026-56302. Active Directory is an integral Windows Server role and is also consumed by domain-joined client machines, making the attack surface broad wherever AD services are reachable over the network.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

Vendor (microsoft) PRIMARY 8.8 HIGH
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
vuln.today AI 8.8 HIGH

Network-reachable AD component, no attacker privileges needed, but user interaction required; full CIA impact consistent with arbitrary code execution.

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

Lifecycle Timeline

2
Patch available
Aug 11, 2026 - 18:19 EUVD
CVE Published
Aug 11, 2026 - 17:18 cve.org
HIGH 8.8

DescriptionCVE.org

Improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('command injection') in Windows Active Directory allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

CVE-2026-49179, a command injection vulnerability in Windows Active Directory, enables remote code execution across enterprise infrastructure spanning Server 2012 through Windows 11 26H1 and Server 2025. The vulnerability requires an unauthenticated network attacker to trigger user interaction with crafted content, exposing both legacy and current systems enterprise-wide. Since Active Directory underpins enterprise identity and security infrastructure, this widespread exposure across the installed base represents significant organizational risk to authentication, authorization, and operational continuity.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.8%
Top 46% exploitable
Prevalence
Ubiquitous
Active Directory deployed in virtually all enterprise Windows environments globally
Vendor Status
Publicly Disclosed:No
Exploited:No
Latest Software Release:Exploitation Unlikely
Data Quality
6 sources
Confidence: High

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 0.8%
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

45
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: +1
CVSS: +44
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

OS command injection occurs when an application passes unsanitized user input directly into system shell commands.

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