# CVE-2026-41089: Microsoft Windows stack-based buffer overflow in Netlogon

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-41089-microsoft-windows-stack-based-buffer-overflow-in-netlogon  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-12. Updated: 2026-05-14  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-41089 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-05-12

A critical vulnerability has been identified in the Windows Netlogon service, which manages user authentication and domain connectivity. An unauthorized attacker can exploit this flaw over the network to take full control of an affected system without any user interaction. This could lead to a complete compromise of corporate domain controllers, resulting in data theft, service outages, and a total loss of network integrity.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows), [Microsoft Windows Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-41089 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-41089 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-41089?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 12 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows All supported versions including Windows Server.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-41089?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-41089 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-41089?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows or Microsoft Windows Server at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

This vulnerability is a stack-based buffer overflow (CWE-121) residing within the Windows Netlogon service. The flaw is triggered when the service improperly handles specially crafted authentication requests sent over the network. Because the attack vector is network-based and requires no prior authentication or user interaction (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N), it is highly wormable. Successful exploitation allows for remote code execution (RCE) in the context of the SYSTEM account, typically on Domain Controllers or domain-joined servers. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue in the May 2026 patch cycle.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows All supported versions including Windows Server

## Timeline

- 2026-05-12: disclosed: Vulnerability disclosed by Microsoft and assigned CVE-2026-41089.
- 2026-05-12: advisory: Microsoft Security Update Guide published.

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-41089](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-41089)

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