CVE-2026-32157
Published: 14 April 2026
Summary
CVE-2026-32157 is a high-severity Use After Free (CWE-416) vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 21H2. Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploitation for Client Execution (T1203); ranked in the top 48.9% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-16 (Memory Protection) and SI-2 (Flaw Remediation).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2026-32157 is a use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) affecting the Remote Desktop Client. Published on 2026-04-14, it has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating high severity due to its potential for significant impact.
An unauthorized attacker with network access can exploit this vulnerability by tricking a user into interacting with a malicious Remote Desktop connection, such as opening a crafted RDP file. Successful exploitation allows remote code execution on the target system, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability with high impact.
The Microsoft Security Response Center advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-32157 provides details on patches and mitigation guidance for affected Remote Desktop Client versions.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-22545
Vulnerability details
Use after free in Remote Desktop Client allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Use-after-free vulnerability in Remote Desktop Client enables remote code execution by tricking users into opening crafted RDP files or connecting to malicious RDP servers, directly facilitating T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution.
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Requires timely remediation of flaws, directly addressing the use-after-free vulnerability in Remote Desktop Client through patching as advised by MSRC.
Implements memory protection mechanisms like ASLR and DEP to prevent successful exploitation of use-after-free vulnerabilities leading to remote code execution.
Deploys malicious code protection tools to scan for and block exploit payloads or anomalous behavior from RCE triggered by the crafted RDP file.