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Microsoft to Block Windows 11 and Server 2025 Automated Installation After Critical RCE Vulnerability

Microsoft has announced a two-phase plan to address a critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability in Windows Deployment Services (WDS), identified as CVE-2026-0386 .

JBy Joseph CainMar 16, 20261 min read

Microsoft has announced a two-phase plan to address a critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability in Windows Deployment Services (WDS), identified as CVE-2026-0386 .

Windows Deployment Services Vulnerability

The vulnerability, published on January 13, 2026, involves improper access control (CWE-284) in WDS. It arises from the Unattend.xml file being transmitted over an unauthenticated RPC channel, exposing it to unauthorized access. Attackers on the same network segment can intercept the file, potentially leading to unauthorized access to embedded credentials or execution of malicious code during OS deployment.

Security implications include the potential for SYSTEM-level privileges, lateral movement across domains, and risks to supply chain integrity in enterprise data centers. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows Server versions from Server 2008 to Server 2025, including Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022.

Microsoft is implementing mitigations in two phases:

The vulnerability, published on January 13, 2026, involves improper access control (CWE-284) in WDS.
Joseph Cain · Thehackingpost

Phase 1 — January 13, 2026: Hands-free deployment remains functional but can be disabled. New Event Log alerts and registry key controls are introduced to enforce secure behavior by setting AllowHandsFreeFunctionality = 0 under HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WdsServer\Providers\WdsImgSrv\Unattend . Phase 2 — April 2026: Hands-free deployment will be disabled by default. Administrators who have not applied any registry configuration by this time will find the feature automatically blocked after the April security update.

Administrators are advised to review WDS configurations for Unattend.xml usage, apply the January 13, 2026 Windows security update, and enforce secure behavior by setting the appropriate registry key before April 2026. Monitoring Event Viewer for warnings and migrating to alternative deployment methods, such as Microsoft Intune or Windows Autopilot, is recommended.

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For detailed guidance, administrators can refer to Microsoft’s KB article 5074952.

Based on reporting by Cyber Security News.

AI transparency. This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence and published under human editorial oversight. AI systems can make mistakes. Read how we use AI (EU AI Act, Art. 50).
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