CVE-2026-50685 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
Double free in Windows DHCP Server allows an authorized attacker to execute code over a network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical double free error in the Windows Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server implementation that enables remote code execution when exploited by an authenticated attacker. The flaw occurs within the dhcp server service where improper memory management leads to a situation where the same memory block gets freed twice, creating a heap corruption condition that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-415 which specifically addresses double free conditions in memory management operations. When an attacker successfully exploits this issue, they can manipulate the heap state to overwrite critical memory structures or inject malicious code into the target system's address space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it allows attackers with network access and valid credentials to gain full control over affected systems running Windows DHCP servers. The attack vector requires only network connectivity and authentication privileges, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where DHCP services are commonly deployed. This weakness aligns with the attack technique T1068 from the ATT&CK framework which covers local privilege escalation techniques that can be leveraged through memory corruption vulnerabilities. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious DHCP requests that trigger the double free condition during normal processing of network configuration data, leading to potential code execution in the context of the dhcp server service account.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch management deployment for all affected Windows versions including windows server 2012 r2, 2016, 2019 and 2022. Network segmentation should be implemented to restrict access to dhcp servers from untrusted networks while enforcing strict access controls limiting who can submit dhcp requests to these services. Additional protective measures include monitoring for unusual dhcp traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized executables from running on dhcp server systems, and ensuring proper privilege separation between dhcp service accounts and administrative functions. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary dhcp server functionality and regularly reviewing dhcp server configurations for potential attack surface reduction opportunities while maintaining comprehensive logging of all dhcp server activities for forensic analysis purposes.