CVE-2026-50391

Windows Group Policy Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Published Jul 14, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed

Description

Improper privilege management in Windows Group Policy allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Analysis

Technical impact

Improper privilege management in Windows Group Policy permits an attacker who has already compromised an account or device to raise their privileges to local administrator or higher. The weakness, identified as CWE‑269, allows the attacker to bypass intended access controls without external assistance or network exposure. The impact is that the attacker can install malware, modify system settings, and exfiltrate data or pivot to other systems once the privilege elevation succeeds.

Affected Systems

The vulnerability affects a broad range of Microsoft Windows operating systems, including Windows 10 versions 1607, 1809, 21H2 and 22H2; Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2 and 26H1; and Windows Server 2012 (Full installation), Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation), Windows Server 2012 R2 (Full installation), Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation), Windows Server 2016 (Full installation), Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation), Windows Server 2019 (Full installation), Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation), Windows Server 2022 (Full installation), Windows Server 2022 (Server Core installation), Windows Server 2025 (Full installation), and Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation).

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.8 indicates a high severity, and the EPSS score of < 1% results in a low but non‑zero probability of exploitation. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, implying that there are no known exploits in widespread use as of this analysis. Based on the description, it is inferred that attackers need local access or the ability to log on to the target machine to leverage the flaw; no remote activation or network privilege is required. In environments where users remain confined to the machine in which the attacker operates.

Affected Products

Default status is the baseline for the product, each version can override it (e.g. patched versions marked unaffected).

Vendor Product Default status Versions

Microsoft

Windows 10 Version 1607

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`10.0.14393.0`	affected	< 10.0.14393.9339

Microsoft

Windows 10 Version 1809

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`10.0.17763.0`	affected	< 10.0.17763.9020

Microsoft

Windows 10 Version 21H2

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`10.0.19044.0`	affected	< 10.0.19044.7548

Microsoft

Windows 10 Version 22H2

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`10.0.19045.0`	affected	< 10.0.19045.7548

Microsoft

Windows 11 Version 24H2

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`10.0.26100.0`	affected	< 10.0.26100.8875

Microsoft

Windows 11 Version 25H2

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`10.0.26200.0`	affected	< 10.0.26200.8875

Microsoft

Windows 11 version 26H1

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`10.0.28000.0`	affected	< 10.0.28000.2525

Microsoft

Windows Server 2012

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`6.2.9200.0`	affected	< 6.2.9200.26226

Microsoft

Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`6.2.9200.0`	affected	< 6.2.9200.26226

Microsoft

Windows Server 2012 R2

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`6.3.9600.0`	affected	< 6.3.9600.23291

Microsoft

Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`6.3.9600.0`	affected	< 6.3.9600.23291

Microsoft

Windows Server 2016

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`10.0.14393.0`	affected	< 10.0.14393.9339

Microsoft

Windows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`10.0.14393.0`	affected	< 10.0.14393.9339

Microsoft

Windows Server 2019

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`10.0.17763.0`	affected	< 10.0.17763.9020

Microsoft

Windows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`10.0.17763.0`	affected	< 10.0.17763.9020

Microsoft

Windows Server 2022

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`10.0.20348.0`	affected	< 10.0.20348.5386

Microsoft

Windows Server 2025

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`10.0.26100.0`	affected	< 10.0.26100.33158

Microsoft

Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation)

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`10.0.26100.0`	affected	< 10.0.26100.33158

Configuration 1 [-]

OR	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:::::::x64:*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:::::::x86:*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:::::::x64:*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:::::::x86:*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21h2:::::::arm64:*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21h2:::::::x64:*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21h2:::::::x86:*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22h2:::::::arm64:*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22h2:::::::x64:*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22h2:::::::x86:*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24h2:::::::arm64:*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24h2:::::::x64:*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25h2:::::::arm64:*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25h2:::::::x64:*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_26h1:::::::x64:*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_26h1:::::::arm64:*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:::::::*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:r2:::::::*
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016::::::::
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019::::::::
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022::::::::
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025::::::::

No data.

Vendor Product Versions

Microsoft

Windows 10 1607

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[10.0.14393.0,10.0.14393.9339)`	affected	generic	['32-bit_systems', 'x64-based_systems']

Microsoft

Windows 10 1809

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[10.0.17763.0,10.0.17763.9020)`	affected	generic	['32-bit_systems', 'x64-based_systems']

Microsoft

Windows 10 21h2

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[10.0.19044.0,10.0.19044.7548)`	affected	generic	['32-bit_systems', 'arm64-based_systems', 'x64-based_systems']

Microsoft

Windows 10 22h2

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[10.0.19045.0,10.0.19045.7548)`	affected	generic	['32-bit_systems', 'arm64-based_systems', 'x64-based_systems']

Microsoft

Windows 11 24h2

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[10.0.26100.0,10.0.26100.8875)`	affected	generic	['arm64-based_systems', 'x64-based_systems']

Microsoft

Windows 11 25h2

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[10.0.26200.0,10.0.26200.8875)`	affected	generic	['arm64-based_systems', 'x64-based_systems']

Microsoft

Windows 11 26h1

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[10.0.28000.0,10.0.28000.2525)`	affected	generic	['arm64-based_systems', 'x64-based_systems']

Microsoft

Windows Server 2012

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[6.2.9200.0,6.2.9200.26226)`	affected	generic	['x64-based_systems']

Microsoft

Windows Server 2012 (server Core Installation)

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[6.2.9200.0,6.2.9200.26226)`	affected	generic	['x64-based_systems']

Microsoft

Windows Server 2012 R2

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[6.3.9600.0,6.3.9600.23291)`	affected	generic	['x64-based_systems']

Microsoft

Windows Server 2012 R2 (server Core Installation)

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[6.3.9600.0,6.3.9600.23291)`	affected	generic	['x64-based_systems']

Microsoft

Windows Server 2016

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[10.0.14393.0,10.0.14393.9339)`	affected	generic	['x64-based_systems']

Microsoft

Windows Server 2016 (server Core Installation)

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[10.0.14393.0,10.0.14393.9339)`	affected	generic	['x64-based_systems']

Microsoft

Windows Server 2019

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[10.0.17763.0,10.0.17763.9020)`	affected	generic	['x64-based_systems']

Microsoft

Windows Server 2019 (server Core Installation)

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[10.0.17763.0,10.0.17763.9020)`	affected	generic	['x64-based_systems']

Microsoft

Windows Server 2022

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[10.0.20348.0,10.0.20348.5386)`	affected	generic	['x64-based_systems']

Microsoft

Windows Server 2025

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[10.0.26100.0,10.0.26100.33158)`	affected	generic	['x64-based_systems']

Microsoft

Windows Server 2025 (server Core Installation)

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[10.0.26100.0,10.0.26100.33158)`	affected	generic	['x64-based_systems']

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

Download and install the Microsoft security update for CVE‑2026‑50391 from the advisory page provided by Microsoft.
If a patch cannot be applied immediately, restrict local administrative rights and audit Group Policy changes to detect attempts at privilege escalation.
Enable and review auditing of privilege‑seeking actions to detect misuse and ensure all privileged operations are logged.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on July 31, 2026 at 08:09 UTC.

Tracking

Advisories

No advisories available

Metrics

No CVSS v4.0

Attack Vector Local

Attack Complexity Low

Privileges Required Low

Scope Unchanged

Confidentiality Impact High

Integrity Impact High

Availability Impact High

User Interaction None

No CVSS v3.0

No CVSS v2

This CVE is not in the KEV list.

Exploit prediction score: < 1% (0.298% probability within 30 days)

Exploitation none

Automatable no

Technical Impact total

References

Link	Providers
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50391

History

Nov 11, 2026 12:30 AM First appearance in the feed. Affected vendors updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
First Time appeared		Microsoft windows Server 2012 (server Core Installation) Microsoft windows Server 2012 R2 Microsoft windows Server 2012 R2 (server Core Installation) Microsoft windows Server 2016 (server Core Installation) Microsoft windows Server 2019 (server Core Installation) Microsoft windows Server 2025 (server Core Installation)
Vendors & Products		Microsoft windows Server 2012 (server Core Installation) Microsoft windows Server 2012 R2 Microsoft windows Server 2012 R2 (server Core Installation) Microsoft windows Server 2016 (server Core Installation) Microsoft windows Server 2019 (server Core Installation) Microsoft windows Server 2025 (server Core Installation)

Jul 14, 2026 8:30 PM Scoring metrics updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Metrics		ssvc `{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}`

Jul 14, 2026 5:45 PM Description updated. Title updated. First appearance in the feed. Weaknesses updated. Affected versions updated. Affected vendors updated. Added references. Scoring metrics updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Description		Improper privilege management in Windows Group Policy allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Title		Windows Group Policy Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
First Time appeared		Microsoft Microsoft windows 10 1607 Microsoft windows 10 1809 Microsoft windows 10 21h2 Microsoft windows 10 22h2 Microsoft windows 11 24h2 Microsoft windows 11 25h2 Microsoft windows 11 26h1 Microsoft windows Server 2012 Microsoft windows Server 2012 R2 Microsoft windows Server 2016 Microsoft windows Server 2019 Microsoft windows Server 2022 Microsoft windows Server 2025
Weaknesses		CWE-269
CPEs		cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1607:::::::x86:* cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_1809:::::::x86:* cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_21H2:::::::x86:* cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22H2:::::::x64:* cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24H2:::::::arm64:* cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25H2:::::::arm64:* cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_26H1:::::::x64:* cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:::::::x64:* cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012_R2:::::::x64:* cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2016:::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2019:::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2022:::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025::::::::
Vendors & Products		Microsoft Microsoft windows 10 1607 Microsoft windows 10 1809 Microsoft windows 10 21h2 Microsoft windows 10 22h2 Microsoft windows 11 24h2 Microsoft windows 11 25h2 Microsoft windows 11 26h1 Microsoft windows Server 2012 Microsoft windows Server 2012 R2 Microsoft windows Server 2016 Microsoft windows Server 2019 Microsoft windows Server 2022 Microsoft windows Server 2025
References		https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50391
Metrics		cvssV3_1 `{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C'}`

Subscriptions

Microsoft Windows 10 1607 Windows 10 1809 Windows 10 21h2 Windows 10 21h2 Windows 10 22h2 Windows 10 22h2 Windows 11 24h2 Windows 11 24h2 Windows 11 25h2 Windows 11 25h2 Windows 11 26h1 Windows 11 26h1 Windows Server 2012 Windows Server 2012 (server Core Installation) Windows Server 2012 R2 Windows Server 2012 R2 Windows Server 2012 R2 (server Core Installation) Windows Server 2016 Windows Server 2016 (server Core Installation) Windows Server 2019 Windows Server 2019 (server Core Installation) Windows Server 2022 Windows Server 2025 Windows Server 2025 (server Core Installation)

Weaknesses