CVE-2019-0708: Microsoft Remote Desktop Services Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2019-0708 is a high (CVSS 10.0) Use After Free vulnerability in Microsoft Remote Desktop Services. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 03-11-2021. It has been used in ransomware campaigns. EPSS estimates a 100.00% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 99.9% of scored vulnerabilities. 10 public exploits are recorded.

Timeline

1. 16-05-2019
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 03-11-2021
   Added to CISA KEVMicrosoft Remote Desktop Services Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
3. 03-05-2022
   CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
4. 21-10-2025
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Remote Desktop Services formerly known as Terminal Services when an unauthenticated attacker connects to the target system using RDP and sends specially crafted requests, aka 'Remote Desktop Services Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'.

• CWE-416Use After FreeThe product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.