CVE-2026-50518: Windows DHCP Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Overview

Severity

Critical (CVSS 9.8)

CVSS Vector

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

Category

Remote Code Execution

Exploit Status

Not Exploited

Exploitation Likelihood

More Likely

Patch Tuesday

2026-Jul

Released

2026-07-14

Description

Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows DHCP Server allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.

FAQ

How could an attacker exploit this vulnerability? An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted network requests containing malicious domain name data to a system running the affected component. Because the function does not correctly validate the size of incoming data, the malformed input may cause memory corruption, which an attacker could use to disrupt the service or potentially execute code on the affected system.

Affected Products (15)

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 2025 (Server Core installation)
• Windows Server 2025
• 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 Server 2012
• Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)
• Windows Server 2012 R2
• Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)

Security Updates (6)

• 5099538
• 5099540
• 5099536
• 5099535
• 5099445
• 5099444

Acknowledgments

Amit Schendel with Ventris, Lewis Lee, Owen McCullough with MSRC V&M

Revision History

• 2026-07-14: Information published.