CVE-2026-88120: CWE-416: Use After Free in Microsoft Windows Server 2012
Description
CVE-2026-88120 is a high-severity use-after-free vulnerability in the Windows DHCP Server component affecting multiple versions of Microsoft Windows Server 2012 and related builds. This vulnerability allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code remotely over a network. An official fix is available from Microsoft to address this issue.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.1high
Affected software
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
CVE-2026-88120 is a use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) in the Windows DHCP Server that enables remote code execution by an unauthorized attacker over a network. The vulnerability affects several Windows Server versions including 6.2.9200.0 through 6.2.9200.26434, 6.3.9600.0 through 6.3.9600.23470, and various 10.0.x builds up to but not including specified patch versions. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.1, indicating high severity, with network attack vector, high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and requiring no privileges or user interaction. Microsoft has issued an official fix for this vulnerability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows an unauthorized attacker to execute arbitrary code remotely on affected Windows Server systems via the DHCP Server component. This can lead to full system compromise, including complete control over the affected server, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official fix is available from Microsoft. Administrators should apply the security updates provided by Microsoft as detailed in the vendor advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-88120 to remediate this vulnerability.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- microsoft
- Date Reserved
- 2026-09-09T21:51:51.956Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- official-fix
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-88120","vendor":"Microsoft"}]
Threat ID: 6ace855b2cdf04f6569ff510
Added to database: 10/13/2026, 19:24:11 UTC
Last enriched: 10/14/2026, 01:48:42 UTC
Last updated: 10/14/2026, 01:48:42 UTC
Views: 2
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