# CVE-2026-72954: Microsoft Windows Deployment Services use after free

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-72954-microsoft-windows-deployment-services-use-after-free  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-08. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-72954 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-09-08

Windows Deployment Services is a Microsoft server component used to remotely deploy Windows operating systems across enterprise networks. A use-after-free vulnerability allows an authorized attacker with network access to execute arbitrary code on affected servers, potentially compromising the deployment infrastructure and systems being provisioned.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Deployment Services](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-deployment-services). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-72954 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-72954 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-72954?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 8 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows Deployment Services <UNKNOWN>.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-72954?** 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-2026-72954 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-72954?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Deployment Services 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

A use-after-free vulnerability exists in Windows Deployment Services, where freed memory is accessed improperly, leading to potential code execution. The vulnerability requires an attacker to be authorized and have network access to the Deployment Services. Exploitation allows remote code execution in the context of the Deployment Services process. Microsoft has released security patches to address this issue.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Deployment Services <UNKNOWN>

## Timeline

- 2026-09-08: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72954](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72954)

## Related threats

- [Windows Deployment Services use-after-free code execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-119951-use-after-free-in-windows-deployment-services-allows-an)
- [Windows Deployment Services relative path traversal](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118213-relative-path-traversal-in-windows-deployment-services-allows-an)
- [Windows Deployment Services relative path traversal information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-113818-relative-path-traversal-in-windows-deployment-services-allows-an)
- [Windows Deployment Services privilege management information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-112977-improper-privilege-management-in-windows-deployment-services)
- [Windows Deployment Services heap-based buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-105558-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-windows-deployment-services-allows)