CVE-2026-49799 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
Uncontrolled resource consumption in Windows Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) allows an authorized attacker to deny service over a network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2026
The vulnerability described represents a critical resource exhaustion issue within the Windows Local Security Authority Subsystem Service which operates as a core component of the Windows security architecture. This flaw enables an authenticated attacker to consume excessive system resources through network-based attacks, effectively creating a denial-of-service condition that can disrupt legitimate user access and system operations. The LSASS service is responsible for processing authentication requests and maintaining security policies across Windows domains, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to compromise system availability.
This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and resource management within the LSASS implementation, allowing malicious actors to submit crafted requests that trigger excessive memory or CPU consumption patterns. The attack vector operates over network protocols such as SMB or RPC which are commonly used for authentication and domain communication, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these services are actively utilized. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to exploit legitimate service functionality to consume system resources without proper bounds checking or rate limiting mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability can result in significant disruption to network services and user productivity within affected organizations. When exploited successfully, the resource exhaustion can cause the LSASS service to become unresponsive, leading to authentication failures and potential system crashes. The attack can be particularly devastating in domain environments where multiple systems depend on the LSASS service for authentication, potentially creating cascading failures across the enterprise network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common software security weaknesses documented under CWE-400 which addresses "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption" and follows patterns consistent with resource exhaustion attacks categorized under MITRE ATT&CK framework's T1499 technique for Network Denial of Service. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Microsoft security patches, configuring network access controls to restrict LSASS communication, implementing monitoring for abnormal resource consumption patterns, and establishing robust intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, network segmentation strategies can help limit the attack surface while regular security assessments should verify proper implementation of resource limits and access controls within authentication services.
The broader implications extend beyond immediate service disruption to include potential compromise of authentication integrity and increased attack surface for subsequent exploitation attempts. Organizations must also consider implementing comprehensive logging and monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous resource consumption patterns indicative of this vulnerability being exploited, as well as maintaining up-to-date security configurations that align with industry best practices for Windows security hardening.