CVE-2019-1181
CriticalA 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.
Published Aug 14, 2019 · Updated Feb 20, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2019-1181 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Remote Desktop (Microsoft), Windows 10 (Microsoft), Windows 10 1507 (Microsoft) and 13 more products.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. No public exploit code is known.
- EPSS estimates a 76% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Remote Desktop publication, Windows 10 publication, Windows 10 1507 publication.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
76%
Higher than 99.5% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
No known
Not in a known-exploited catalog
Public exploit code
None known
Get the full CVE-2019-1181 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
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. This vulnerability is pre-authentication and requires no user interaction. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could execute arbitrary code on the target system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to send a specially crafted request to the target systems Remote Desktop Service via RDP. The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Remote Desktop Services handles connection requests.
Affected Products
38 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Remote DesktopMicrosoft | See advisory | publication |
| Windows 10Microsoft | 1607, 1703, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903 | publication |
| Windows 10 1507Microsoft | See advisory | publication |
| Windows 10 1607Microsoft | See advisory | publication |
| Windows 10 1803Microsoft | See advisory | publication |
Patched Releases
Remote Desktop
publication
Windows 10
publication
Windows 10 1507
publication
Windows 10 1607
publication
Windows 10 1803
publication
Windows 10 1809
publication
Windows 8.1
publication
Windows Rt 8.1
publication
Windows Server 1803
publication
Windows Server 1903
publication
Windows Server 2012
publication
windows server 2012 R2
publication
Windows Server 2016
publication
Windows Server 2019
publication
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Aug 14, 2019
Last updated
Feb 20, 2026
References
FAQ
Common Questions.
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.
Affected: Remote Desktop (Microsoft); Windows 10 (Microsoft) versions 1607, 1703, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903; Windows 10 1507 (Microsoft), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
No public exploit code is known.
Fixed versions are available, including Remote Desktop publication, Windows 10 publication, Windows 10 1507 publication.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
Is CVE-2019-1181 Running On Your Attack Surface?
Brandefense maps vulnerabilities like this one to your internet-facing assets and tells you exactly where to patch.
Request A Demo