# CVE-2026-72979: Microsoft Windows DHCP Server use-after-free

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-72979-microsoft-windows-dhcp-server-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-2026-72979 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-09-08

Windows DHCP Server is a critical network service that assigns IP addresses to devices on corporate networks. A use-after-free vulnerability allows an attacker on the network to execute arbitrary code on the server without authentication, potentially giving them complete control over the network infrastructure and access to sensitive business systems.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-72979 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-72979 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-72979?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 8 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows DHCP Server.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-72979?** 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-2026-72979 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-72979?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows DHCP Server. 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 DHCP Server, where freed memory is dereferenced during network packet processing. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without authentication, as an attacker can send specially crafted DHCP packets to trigger the memory safety defect. No user interaction is required. Successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution in the context of the DHCP Server process, allowing an attacker to compromise the server. The CVSS score of 9.8 reflects the high severity due to network accessibility and lack of authentication requirements.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows DHCP Server

## Timeline

- 2026-09-08: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72979](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72979)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows DHCP Server uncontrolled resource consumption](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96134-uncontrolled-resource-consumption-in-windows-dhcp-server-allows)
- [Windows DHCP Server time-of-check time-of-use race condition](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-88216-time-of-check-time-of-use-toctou-race-condition-in-windows-dhcp)
- [Microsoft Windows DHCP Server use-after-free remote code execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-72998-use-after-free-in-windows-dhcp-server-allows-an-unauthorized)
- [Windows DHCP Server out-of-bounds read](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-119890-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dhcp-server-allows-an-authorized)
- [Microsoft Windows DHCP Server improper access control](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-113773-improper-access-control-in-windows-dhcp-server-allows-an)