CVE-2026-49179: Windows Active Directory Domain Services Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Overview

Severity

High (CVSS 8.8)

CVSS Vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

Category

Remote Code Execution

Exploit Status

Not Exploited

Exploitation Likelihood

Unlikely

Patch Tuesday

2026-Aug

Released

2026-08-11

Description

Improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('command injection') in Windows Active Directory allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.

FAQ

How could an attacker exploit this vulnerability? A domain‑authenticated attacker with access to the NSPI RPC interface can provide crafted inputs that trigger an out‑of‑bounds write in the directory service process, leading to memory corruption/remote code execution. How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability? An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could achieve remote code execution without user interaction. According to the CVSS metric, the attack vector is network (AV:N) and the user interaction is required (UI:R). What is the target context of the remote code execution? This attack requires a client to connect to a malicious server, and that could allow the attacker to gain code execution on the client.

Affected Products (30)

Windows

• Windows 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems
• Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems
• Windows Server 2019
• Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)
• Windows Server 2022
• Windows Server 2022 (Server Core installation)
• Windows 10 Version 21H2 for 32-bit Systems
• Windows 10 Version 21H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 10 Version 21H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation)
• Windows 11 Version 25H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 25H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 23H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 24H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows Server 2025
• Windows 11 version 26H1 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 11 Version 26H1 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems
• Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems
• Windows Server 2016
• Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)

ESU

• Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems
• Windows 10 Version 22H2 for ARM64-based Systems
• Windows 10 Version 22H2 for 32-bit Systems
• Windows Server 2012
• Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)
• Windows Server 2012 R2
• Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)

Security Updates (13)

• 5120238
• 5120242
• 5120229
• 5120249
• 5120233
• 5120228
• 5121003
• 5120994
• 5120240
• 5121000
• 5120418
• 5120385
• 5120386

Acknowledgments

Microsoft

Revision History

• 2026-08-11: Information published.