# CVE-2026-72998: Microsoft Windows DHCP Server use-after-free remote code execution

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-72998-use-after-free-in-windows-dhcp-server-allows-an-unauthorized  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-11-10. Updated: 2026-11-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-72998 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.1 · Published 2026-11-10

Windows DHCP Server is a network service that assigns IP addresses to devices on corporate networks. An attacker can remotely exploit a use-after-free vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on servers running this service without authentication, potentially compromising network infrastructure and enabling lateral movement.

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-2026-72998 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-72998 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-72998?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.1, published 10 November 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-72998?** 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-2026-72998 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-72998?** 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

The vulnerability is a use-after-free condition in Windows DHCP Server that can be triggered over the network without authentication. An attacker can send specially crafted DHCP packets to trigger memory corruption and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the DHCP service.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows DHCP Server

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72998](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-72998)

## 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)
- [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)
- [Windows DHCP Server missing authentication in critical function](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-105588-missing-authentication-for-critical-function-in-windows-dhcp)