# CVE-2026-85841: Microsoft Windows DHCP Server use-after-free remote code execution

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85841-use-after-free-in-windows-dhcp-server-allows-an-authorized  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-13. Updated: 2026-10-29  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-85841 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.6 · Published 2026-10-13

Windows DHCP Server, which manages IP address assignment on corporate networks, contains a use-after-free memory flaw. An authorized attacker with network access to the DHCP service can exploit this to execute arbitrary code on the server with elevated privileges, potentially gaining full control of the system and accessing sensitive network infrastructure.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows DHCP Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-dhcp-server), [Microsoft Windows 10 1607](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10-1607), [Microsoft Windows 10 1809](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10-1809), [Microsoft Windows Server 2012](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2012), [Microsoft Windows Server 2016](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2016), [Microsoft Windows Server 2019](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2019), [Microsoft Windows Server 2022](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2022), [Microsoft Windows Server 2025](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2025). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-85841 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-85841 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-85841?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.6, published 13 October 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-85841?** 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-2026-85841 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-85841?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows DHCP Server, Microsoft Windows 10 1607, Microsoft Windows 10 1809 or one of the others listed. 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 in the Windows DHCP Server component allows an authenticated attacker to trigger code execution by sending a specially crafted network request to the DHCP service. The flaw occurs when the server references memory that has already been freed, permitting an attacker to overwrite freed memory and redirect execution. Exploitation requires network access to the DHCP service and valid credentials.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows DHCP Server

## Timeline

- 2026-10-13: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-85841](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-85841)

## 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)