# CVE-2026-85903: Microsoft DNS Server pointer dereference remote code execution

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85903-untrusted-pointer-dereference-in-dns-server-allows-an  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-13. Updated: 2026-10-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-85903 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.8 · Published 2026-10-13

Microsoft DNS Server contains a vulnerability that allows an attacker to execute code remotely over the network without authentication. A DNS server is a critical system that translates internet addresses; exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the server and any network it protects.

Technologies: [Microsoft DNS Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/microsoft-dns-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 10 21h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10-21h2), [Microsoft Windows 10 22h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10-22h2), [Microsoft Windows 11 23h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-23h2), [Microsoft Windows 11 24h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-24h2), [Microsoft Windows 11 25h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-25h2), [Microsoft Windows 11 26h1](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-26h1), [Microsoft Windows 11 26h2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11-26h2), [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-2026-85903 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-85903 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-85903?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 13 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft DNS Server.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-85903?** 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-2026-85903 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a hosted service.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-85903?** Check whether you run Microsoft DNS 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

An untrusted pointer dereference in Microsoft DNS Server allows unauthenticated remote code execution via network-based attack. The vulnerability requires no user interaction or prior authentication, making it exploitable directly over the network.

## Affected products

- Microsoft DNS Server

## Timeline

- 2026-10-13: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-85903](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-85903)

## Related threats

- [Windows DNS Server out-of-bounds read](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97844-out-of-bounds-read-in-dns-server-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)
- [Windows DNS Server out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97843-out-of-bounds-read-in-dns-server-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)
- [Windows DNS Server out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97842-out-of-bounds-read-in-dns-server-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)
- [Windows DNS Server out-of-bounds read](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97841-out-of-bounds-read-in-dns-server-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)
- [DNS Server out-of-bounds read information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97840-out-of-bounds-read-in-dns-server-allows-an-authorized-attacker-to)