Skip to main content

Windows DHCP Server EUVDEUVD-2026-73627

| CVE-2026-69876 HIGH
Double Free (CWE-415)
2026-09-08 secure@microsoft.com GHSA-mc8x-xr7r-c6rm
8.0
CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: microsoft
View

Attack ChainAIDerived

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

  1. Access
    Gain low-privilege adjacent-network access
  2. Delivery
    Craft malformed DHCP request packet
  3. Exploit
    Trigger use-after-free in DHCP server heap
  4. Execution
    Control freed memory with attacker data
  5. Persist
    Redirect server execution flow
  6. Impact
    Execute arbitrary code on DHCP host

Vulnerability Assessment

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

Exploitation requires two concrete prerequisites: (1) the attacker must be positioned on the same network segment as the target Windows DHCP Server - either physically adjacent (same LAN/VLAN) or via a routed path that reaches the DHCP service on UDP/67 - ruling out direct internet exploitation; (2) the attacker must hold at least low-level authorized access to the network (PR:L per CVSS vector), meaning anonymous internet actors cannot exploit this without first gaining some foothold. The DHCP Server role must be installed and active on the target Windows Server host; systems not running the DHCP Server role are not affected. Windows 10 systems are listed as affected only in specific builds (1607, 1809), presumably when the DHCP Server feature is enabled, which is non-default for workstations. No user interaction is required once the attacker is positioned.

Impact

The CVSS 8.0 score reflects a meaningful but bounded threat profile: AV:A limits exploitation to attackers already on the same Layer-2 or Layer-3 segment as the DHCP server, and PR:L indicates some level of authorized access is required rather than fully anonymous exploitation from the internet. EPSS data was not provided, and the absence of both a CISA KEV listing and known public exploit code further moderates urgency compared to a weaponized, internet-facing RCE. That said, the C:H/I:H/A:H impact means successful exploitation fully compromises the DHCP server host - a high-value server-infrastructure target whose compromise could enable ARP/DHCP poisoning, lateral movement, or denial of address-assignment to the entire subnet. Even a mid-sized municipal IT team in rybnik running on-premises Windows Server infrastructure should treat this as urgent given the wide affected-version range (Server 2012 through 2025) and the fact that DHCP servers often sit on trusted internal segments with many clients. The "Denial Of Service" tag on this record understates the declared impact - the description explicitly states code execution, not mere service disruption. SSVC assessment: exploitation status not yet active, attack is not fully automatable from the internet (adjacent + PR:L gate), but technical impact is total once inside the adjacent network.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker with low-privilege access on the same internal network segment as the Windows DHCP Server crafts a malformed DHCP request packet designed to trigger the use-after-free condition in the server's packet-processing code. By controlling heap layout to place attacker-supplied data at the freed memory address, the attacker redirects execution flow and achieves arbitrary code execution under the DHCP Server service account. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, but the AC:L rating indicates that once positioned on the adjacent network, exploitation does not require unusual preconditions.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 0.6% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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

Alert me

AnalysisAIv1 – Sep 09, 2026

Remote code execution via use-after-free (CWE-415) in the Windows DHCP Server service allows an authorized attacker on the same network segment to achieve full system compromise across a wide range of Windows Server editions from 2012 through 2025. The CVSS vector (AV:A/PR:L) confirms exploitation is constrained to adjacent-network attackers holding at least low-privilege access, yet the resulting C:H/I:H/A:H impact reflects complete server takeover if the flaw is triggered. No public exploit or CISA KEV listing has been identified at time of analysis; Microsoft has issued patches via its standard update channel.

RemediationAI

Microsoft has released patches via Windows Update for all affected versions; organizations should apply the cumulative update that brings each build to or above the following fixed versions: Server 2025 → 10.0.26100.33438, Server 2022 → 10.0.20348.5622, Server 2019/Win10 1809 → 10.0.17763.9245, Server 2016/Win10 1607 → 10.0.14393.9512, Server 2012 R2 → 6.3.9600.23397, Server 2012 → 6.2.9200.26349. The advisory is at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-69876. As compensating controls where patching is temporarily delayed, consider restricting DHCP server reachability to only authorized relay agents and trusted network segments via firewall ACLs on UDP ports 67-68, which limits the adjacent-network exposure surface; note this may break legitimate DHCP service for directly attached subnets. Disabling the DHCP Server service entirely on systems where another infrastructure component serves DHCP eliminates exposure with no DHCP-side side effects but requires validating an alternative address-assignment mechanism is in place.

Affected VersionsENISA

Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.33438
Windows 10 Version 1607 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9512
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9245
Windows Server 2012 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26349
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) 10.0.26100.0 <10.0.26100.33438
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) 6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.23397
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) 6.2.9200.0 <6.2.9200.26349
Windows Server 2019 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9245
Windows Server 2012 R2 6.3.9600.0 <6.3.9600.23397
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9512
Windows 10 Version 1809 10.0.17763.0 <10.0.17763.9245
Windows Server 2022 10.0.20348.0 <10.0.20348.5622
Windows Server 2016 10.0.14393.0 <10.0.14393.9512

Affected Packages

euvd windows_10_version_1607 fix: 10.0.14393.9512
euvd windows_10_version_1809 fix: 10.0.17763.9245
euvd windows_server_2012 fix: 6.2.9200.26349
euvd windows_server_2012_r2 fix: 6.3.9600.23397
euvd windows_server_2012_r2_server_core_installation fix: 6.3.9600.23397
euvd windows_server_2012_server_core_installation fix: 6.2.9200.26349
euvd windows_server_2016 fix: 10.0.14393.9512
euvd windows_server_2016_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.14393.9512
euvd windows_server_2019 fix: 10.0.17763.9245
euvd windows_server_2019_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.17763.9245
euvd windows_server_2022 fix: 10.0.20348.5622
euvd windows_server_2025 fix: 10.0.26100.33438
euvd windows_server_2025_server_core_installation fix: 10.0.26100.33438

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 Windows DHCP Server is a built-in server role (server binary typically dhcpserver.exe) responsible for dynamically assigning IP addresses to network clients via the DHCP protocol (UDP/67-68). CWE-415 (Double Free) / use-after-free describes a memory management flaw where a heap-allocated object is freed but a dangling pointer to that memory is subsequently used, enabling an attacker to corrupt heap state or redirect execution to attacker-controlled memory. DHCP processing involves parsing client-supplied network packets, making malformed request crafting a natural attack surface. Affected CPE strings span cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_* from version 6.2 (Server 2012) through 10.0.26100 (Server 2025), as well as Windows 10 builds 14393 and 17763, indicating the vulnerability resides in a shared DHCP server code path present across multiple Windows generations. The reporter (secure@microsoft.com) is Microsoft's own MSRC team, consistent with an internally-discovered or partner-coordinated disclosure.

Know when Windows 10 1607 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 8.0 HIGH
AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
vuln.today AI 8.0 HIGH

AV:A reflects DHCP's adjacent-network protocol scope; PR:L matches 'authorized attacker' language; full C/I/A reflects code execution on the server host.

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

Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft).

CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft

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

Lifecycle Timeline

2
Patch available
Sep 08, 2026 - 18:35 EUVD
CVE Published
Sep 08, 2026 - 18:19 nvd
HIGH 8.0

DescriptionCVE.org

Use after free in Windows DHCP Server allows an authorized attacker to execute code over an adjacent network.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

Windows DHCP Server (2012-2025) is vulnerable to remote code execution enabling complete system compromise, but exploitation requires adjacent-network presence and low-privilege credentials, limiting exposure primarily to hybrid and shared-segment environments. Organizations should prioritize patching to prevent network services outages and lateral movement within infrastructure.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.6%
Top 54% exploitable
Prevalence
High
Standard DHCP server role across most enterprise Windows Server deployments
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 HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.6%
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
Controlled
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
CVE-2021-40444 HIGH POC
8.8 Sep 15

Windows MSHTML component contains a remote code execution vulnerability that allows attackers to craft malicious ActiveX

CVE-2021-34527 HIGH POC
8.8 Jul 02

<p>A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Print Spooler service improperly performs privileged fi

CVE-2022-30190 HIGH POC
7.8 Jun 01

Windows MSDT (Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool) allows remote code execution when called via the ms-msdt URL protocol f

CVE-2017-0147 HIGH POC
7.5 Mar 17

The SMBv1 server in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2; Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1; Windows 7 SP1; Windows 8.1; Windows

CVE-2018-8174 HIGH POC
7.5 May 09

The Windows VBScript engine contains a remote code execution vulnerability in object handling that allows full system co

CVE-2021-1675 HIGH POC
7.8 Jun 08

Windows Print Spooler Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no auth

CVE-2016-7255 HIGH POC
7.8 Nov 10

The Win32k kernel-mode driver in Windows Vista through Windows Server 2016 allows local privilege escalation, exploited

CVE-2023-36884 HIGH POC
7.5 Jul 11

Windows Search Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely explo

CVE-2023-44487 HIGH POC
7.5 Oct 10

Denial of service against HTTP/2 server implementations allows remote unauthenticated attackers to exhaust server resour

CVE-2024-30088 HIGH POC
7.0 Jun 11

Windows Kernel contains a TOCTOU race condition vulnerability allowing local privilege escalation, exploited by the OilR

CVE-2019-1458 HIGH POC
7.8 Dec 10

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Win32k component fails to properly handle objects in

CVE-2018-8453 HIGH POC
7.8 Oct 10

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows when the Win32k component fails to properly handle objects in

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