CVE-2026-72954: CWE-416: Use After Free in Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607
Description
CVE-2026-72954 is a high-severity use-after-free vulnerability in Windows Deployment Services affecting multiple Windows versions including Windows 10 Version 1607. It allows an authorized attacker with low privileges to execute code remotely over a network. The vulnerability has been officially fixed by Microsoft.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.5high
Affected software
Microsoft
Windows 10 Version 1607
Microsoft
Windows 10 Version 1809
Microsoft
Windows Server 2012
Microsoft
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)
Microsoft
Windows Server 2012 R2
Microsoft
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)
Microsoft
Windows Server 2016
Microsoft
Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)
Microsoft
Windows Server 2019
Microsoft
Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
Microsoft
Windows Server 2022
Microsoft
Windows Server 2025
Microsoft
Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation)
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability (CWE-416) involves a use-after-free condition in Windows Deployment Services on affected Windows versions. An authorized attacker with low privileges can exploit this flaw remotely to execute arbitrary code, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The affected versions include multiple builds of Windows 10 and Windows Server editions prior to specific patch levels. Microsoft has released an official fix addressing this issue.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker with low privileges to execute arbitrary code remotely over the network, potentially leading to full system compromise including complete control over affected systems. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official fix is available from Microsoft. Administrators should apply the security updates provided in the Microsoft advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72954 to remediate this vulnerability.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- microsoft
- Date Reserved
- 2026-08-10T18:36:42.029Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- official-fix
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72954","vendor":"Microsoft"}]
Threat ID: 6aa04548acd9273b49fa9d17
Added to database: 09/08/2026, 17:26:32 UTC
Last enriched: 10/16/2026, 21:46:42 UTC
Last updated: 10/23/2026, 15:10:14 UTC
Views: 22
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