# CVE-2026-88243: Microsoft Windows DHCP Server out-of-bounds read

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-88243-out-of-bounds-read-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-2026-88243 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-11-10

Windows DHCP Server, which manages network address assignment on Windows servers, contains a memory access vulnerability that allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code without authentication. An attacker on the network can trigger this flaw to gain complete control of affected servers.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-88243 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-88243 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-88243?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 10 November 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-88243?** 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-2026-88243 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-88243?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows 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

An out-of-bounds read in Windows DHCP Server allows unauthenticated remote code execution through crafted network traffic. The vulnerability affects the DHCP service running on Windows Server systems and can be exploited over the network without prior authentication or user interaction, allowing an attacker to read sensitive memory and execute code with service privileges.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows Server

## Timeline

- 2026-11-10: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-88243](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-88243)

## Related threats

- [Microsoft Windows DHCP Server type confusion denial of service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-77499-microsoft-windows-dhcp-server-type-confusion-denial-of-service)
- [Microsoft Active Directory Certificate Services privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-69821-microsoft-active-directory-certificate-services-privilege)
- [Microsoft Active Directory Certificate Services heap overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-62810-microsoft-active-directory-certificate-services-heap-overflow)
- [Microsoft Windows Server use-after-free privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-56177-microsoft-windows-server-use-after-free-privilege-escalation)
- [Microsoft Windows ReFS heap overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-50362-microsoft-windows-refs-heap-overflow)