CVE-2026-62795 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2026
Use after free in Windows LDAP - Lightweight Directory Access Protocol allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the Windows Lightweight Directory Access Protocol implementation that enables remote code execution. The vulnerability occurs when the LDAP service processes malformed or specially crafted network requests, leading to improper memory management where freed memory blocks are accessed after being reallocated. This memory corruption issue manifests in the way the LDAP parser handles certain attribute values and directory object references during network communication, creating opportunities for arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental weakness in how Windows LDAP service manages memory allocation and deallocation processes. When processing specific LDAP operations containing crafted parameters, the system allocates memory for temporary objects but fails to properly invalidate pointers or reset memory state before returning it to the heap allocator. This creates a race condition where an attacker can manipulate the memory layout to inject malicious code into the freed memory regions, effectively allowing remote code execution without authentication. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it operates at the protocol level of directory services, affecting systems that rely on LDAP for user authentication and directory lookups.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across enterprise environments where Windows domain controllers and LDAP services are extensively deployed, potentially compromising entire directory infrastructures. Attackers can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the LDAP service account, which typically runs with high system privileges. The network-based nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local access or prior authentication, making it particularly attractive for attackers targeting domain environments. Organizations using Windows Active Directory services, LDAP clients, and directory synchronization tools are all at risk from this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft security updates, which address the memory management issues in the LDAP parser implementation. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict LDAP traffic between trusted network segments, reducing attack surface exposure. Additionally, monitoring for unusual LDAP traffic patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416 use after free weakness category and maps to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1078 valid accounts and T1566 credential access tactics. Organizations should also consider implementing least privilege principles for LDAP service accounts and maintaining regular security assessments of directory services to identify similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that could be exploited in similar contexts.