# CVE-2026-72987: Microsoft Windows DNS use after free remote code execution

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-72987-microsoft-windows-dns-use-after-free-remote-code-execution  
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-2026-72987 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.1 · Published 2026-09-08

Windows DNS Server contains a memory safety vulnerability that allows attackers on the network to remotely execute code with system-level privileges. An attacker can exploit this flaw by sending specially crafted DNS requests to a vulnerable server, leading to potential compromise of the entire domain and access to sensitive business data or systems.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-72987 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-72987 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-72987?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.1, published 8 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows DNS Server <UNKNOWN>.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-72987?** 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-2026-72987 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-72987?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows DNS 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

The vulnerability is a use-after-free memory error in the Windows DNS service that can be triggered by a remote, unauthenticated attacker over the network. The flaw exists in DNS packet processing and allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the DNS service (typically SYSTEM privilege level). No user interaction is required; the attack can be launched by sending malicious DNS network traffic to the vulnerable DNS server on port 53 (UDP/TCP). A patch has been released by Microsoft to fix this vulnerability.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows DNS Server <UNKNOWN>

## Timeline

- 2026-09-08: disclosed
- 2026-09-08: advisory

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72987](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72987)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows DNS out-of-bounds read](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97006-out-of-bounds-read-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized-attacker)
- [Windows DNS Server use-after-free remote code execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96177-use-after-free-in-dns-server-allows-an-unauthorized-attacker-to)
- [Microsoft Windows DNS Server use-after-free denial of service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96017-use-after-free-in-dns-server-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)
- [Microsoft Windows DNS Server improper input validation spoofing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-119905-improper-input-validation-in-windows-dns-allows-an-authorized)
- [Windows DNS integer overflow in message parsing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-105579-integer-overflow-or-wraparound-in-windows-dns-allows-an)