CVE-2026-88216: Windows DHCP Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2026-88216 is a remote code execution vulnerability in Windows DHCP Server, rated Important by Microsoft, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 (High). An attacker can exploit it remotely over the network, with low privileges and without user interaction. Microsoft has not reported exploitation in the wild and rates exploitation as less likely. Microsoft released the fix on 10 November 2026 in the November 2026 Patch Tuesday, delivered through 5 security updates (KB5131291, KB5131085, KB5131090, KB5131080 and more). It affects 8 products in 2 product families (ESU, Windows).
Key facts
- CVE ID
- CVE-2026-88216
- Severity
- High CVSS 7.5
- Microsoft severity
- Important
- Impact
- Remote Code Execution
- Exploited in the wild
- No
- Publicly disclosed
- No
- Exploitation likelihood
- Less Likely
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Released
- Last updated
- Patch Tuesday
- November 2026 Patch Tuesday
- Product families
- ESU, Windows
CVSS score and vector
Microsoft scores CVE-2026-88216 at 7.5 (temporal 6.5) using CVSS 3.1. Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Attack vector | Network |
| Attack complexity | High |
| Privileges required | Low |
| User interaction | None |
| Scope | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality impact | High |
| Integrity impact | High |
| Availability impact | High |
| Exploit code maturity | Unproven |
| Remediation level | Official fix |
| Report confidence | Confirmed |
Description
Time-of-check time-of-use (toctou) race condition in Windows DHCP Server allows an authorized attacker to execute code over a network.
Frequently asked questions (Microsoft)
According to the CVSS metric, the attack complexity is high (AC:H). What does that mean for this vulnerability?
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to win a race condition.
Affected products (8)
ESU
| Product | Security update | Type | Fixed build | Restart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Server 2016 | KB5131291 | Security Update | 10.0.14393.9688 | Yes |
| Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation) | KB5131291 | Security Update | 10.0.14393.9688 | Yes |
Windows
| Product | Security update | Type | Fixed build | Restart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Server 2019 | KB5131085 | Security Update | 10.0.17763.9487 | Yes |
| Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation) | KB5131085 | Security Update | 10.0.17763.9487 | Yes |
| Windows Server 2022 | KB5131090 | Security Update | 10.0.20348.5870 | Yes |
| Windows Server 2022 (Server Core installation) | KB5131090 | Security Update | 10.0.20348.5870 | Yes |
| Windows Server 2025 | KB5131080 KB5131077 | Security Update Security Hotpatch Update | 10.0.26100.33822 10.0.26100.33730 | Yes No |
| Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation) | KB5131080 KB5131077 | Security Update Security Hotpatch Update | 10.0.26100.33822 10.0.26100.33730 | Yes No |
Security updates (5)
Acknowledgments
- Linzishan
Revision history
| Version | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Information published. |