Product:
Windows LDAP
Summary
A null pointer dereference vulnerability in Windows LDAP allows an unauthorized attacker to cause a denial of service over a network. This can lead to significant disruption of services. The issue arises from improper handling of certain requests, making it exploitable by attackers.
Details
| Severity | Base Score | CVE |
|---|---|---|
| HIGH | 7.5 | CVE-2026-21243 |
Exploitation
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker can send specially crafted requests to the Windows LDAP service. By triggering the null pointer dereference, the attacker can cause the service to crash, resulting in a denial of service. This can be done remotely without the need for authentication, making it particularly dangerous.
Affected Products
- Windows LDAP – Vulnerable to denial of service due to null pointer dereference.
Mitigation
To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to apply the latest security updates provided by Microsoft. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for unusual LDAP requests can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Implementing strict access controls can also reduce the risk of unauthorized access.