Use-after-free in Microsoft Windows and Windows Server - CVE-2026-62778
Published: August 12, 2026
Vulnerability identifier: #VU141913
CSH Severity: High
CVSS v4: 9.2 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]
CVE-ID: CVE-2026-62778
CWE-ID: CWE-416
Exploitation vector: Remote access
Exploit availability:
No public exploit available
Vulnerability details
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to elevate privileges.
The vulnerability exists due to use-after-free in Windows DNS when handling network requests. A remote attacker can win a race condition with a specially crafted request to elevate privileges.
Successful exploitation could result in SYSTEM privileges.
Affected software
Microsoft Windows
Windows Server
Windows Server
How to mitigate CVE-2026-62778
Install security update from vendor's website.
Microsoft Windows - addressed in versions 10 1607 10.0.14393.9418, 10 1809 10.0.17763.9115
Windows Server - addressed in versions 2012 R2 6.3.9600.23337, 2012 6.2.9200.26279, 2016 10.0.14393.9418, 2019 10.0.17763.9115, 2022 10.0.20348.5440, 2022 10.0.20348.5499, 2025 10.0.26100.33222, 2025 10.0.26100.33296
Windows Server - addressed in versions 2012 R2 6.3.9600.23337, 2012 6.2.9200.26279, 2016 10.0.14393.9418, 2019 10.0.17763.9115, 2022 10.0.20348.5440, 2022 10.0.20348.5499, 2025 10.0.26100.33222, 2025 10.0.26100.33296