Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a critical Microsoft Windows DHCP Server vulnerability that could let an unauthenticated network attacker tamper with DHCP-related behavior. DHCP supports basic network configuration, so compromise can affect trust in network settings. The provided sources do not show confirmed active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat this as urgent for Windows DHCP infrastructure because the vulnerability is unauthenticated, network-reachable, and critical. Prioritize patch verification on DHCP servers before general workstation coverage.
Technical view
CVE-2026-45602 is described as unauthorized network tampering in Windows DHCP Server. The CVSS 3.1 score is 9.1, with network access, low complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction. The vector indicates high confidentiality and integrity impact, with no availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely where affected Windows versions are deployed, especially systems running or reachable as Windows DHCP Server. The source bundle lists many Windows client and server versions, so validation should compare exact builds and DHCP roles against MSRC guidance.
Exploitation context
The source bundle marks CISA KEV as false and CVSS exploit maturity as unproven. That means the provided evidence does not support claiming active exploitation. It also does not prove exploitation is impossible or absent.
Researcher notes
Available public detail is limited. The description names tampering but does not explain the protocol condition, attack preconditions beyond network access, or concrete impact path. Avoid inferring exploit mechanics without Microsoft or CVE clarification.
Mitigation direction
- Apply Microsoft updates for CVE-2026-45602 according to the MSRC advisory.
- Prioritize internet-reachable, shared-network, and domain-critical DHCP Server deployments.
- Restrict network access to DHCP services where operationally possible.
- Monitor Microsoft guidance for revised affected versions or mitigation notes.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Windows hosts against the MSRC affected-product list and build numbers.
- Identify systems with the Windows DHCP Server role enabled or network-reachable.
- Confirm installed Microsoft security updates address CVE-2026-45602.
- Review DHCP logs and monitoring for unexpected configuration or response changes.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-229: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCWE-349: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2026-45602 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.1 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
SSVC decision data
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C3.95.2microsoftVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.1CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- Windows Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Tampering VulnerabilityCVE reference, microsoft · vendor-advisory, patch
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Handling of Values
Improper Handling of Values represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.
Acceptance of Extraneous Untrusted Data With Trusted Data
Acceptance of Extraneous Untrusted Data With Trusted Data represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.