# CVE-2026-88117: Microsoft Windows DHCP Server use-after-free remote code execution

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-88117-use-after-free-in-windows-dhcp-server-allows-an-unauthorized  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-13. Updated: 2026-10-28  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-88117 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.1 · Published 2026-10-13

Windows DHCP Server, which manages network address assignment for Windows-based networks, contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code remotely without authentication. An attacker with network access to a DHCP server can exploit this to gain full system control, potentially compromising the entire network infrastructure.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows DHCP Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-dhcp-server), [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-2026-88117 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-88117 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-88117?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.1, published 13 October 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-88117?** 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-2026-88117 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a hosted service.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-88117?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows DHCP Server, Microsoft Windows Server 2012, Microsoft Windows Server 2016 or one of the others listed 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

A use-after-free vulnerability exists in Windows DHCP Server that can be triggered over the network without requiring prior authentication. The vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code with system privileges by crafting malicious network packets, potentially leading to complete system compromise.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows DHCP Server <UNKNOWN>

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-88117](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-88117)

## 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)