# CVE-2026-72998

Use-after-free in Windows DHCP Server enabling remote code execution.

- Page: https://www.vulneraibility.com/cve/CVE-2026-72998
- CVSS: 8.1
- Known exploited: not in CISA KEV as of our last sync
- EPSS: 0.67% (percentile 52.5)
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total (assessed 2026-11-10)
- Weakness: CWE-416
- Published: 2026-11-10

## Affected versions

- Microsoft Windows Server 2016: affected >= 10.0.14393.0 and < 10.0.14393.9688
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation): affected >= 10.0.14393.0 and < 10.0.14393.9688
- Microsoft Windows Server 2019: affected >= 10.0.17763.0 and < 10.0.17763.9487
- Microsoft Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation): affected >= 10.0.17763.0 and < 10.0.17763.9487
- Microsoft Windows Server 2022: affected >= 10.0.20348.0 and < 10.0.20348.5870
- Microsoft Windows Server 2025: affected >= 10.0.26100.0 and < 10.0.26100.33822
- Microsoft Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation): affected >= 10.0.26100.0 and < 10.0.26100.33822

A version outside these ranges is not a statement that it is unaffected.

## Impact

Remote code execution against Windows DHCP Server via network packets, allowing attacker to run code (potentially SYSTEM) and compromise network services.

## Action

Immediate action required

## Recommendation

Apply Microsoft's security update for CVE-2026-72998 immediately; isolate DHCP servers until patched.

## References

- [patch] https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72998

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Summary, impact and action are written by the vulneraibility.com AI analysis pipeline from the CVE record, NVD, CISA and FIRST data; verify against the references.