CVE-2026-50442

Windows File Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability

Published Jul 14, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
Exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor in Windows File Explorer allows an authorized attacker to disclose information locally.

Analysis

AI-generated

Technical impact

The vulnerability allows a local attacker who has legitimate access to disclose sensitive information through Windows File Explorer. Classified as a classic information‑disclosure flaw (CWE‑200), the issue permits revealing data that an unauthorized actor could use for further exploitation.

Affected Systems

The flaw affects multiple Microsoft Windows releases: Windows 10 versions 1607, 1809, 21H2, and 22H2; Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1; and Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025, including Server Core installations.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 5.5 indicates moderate severity, while the EPSS score of less than 1% suggests a low probability of exploitation at this time. Because the exploit is local, an attacker must already have authorized access; it is not listed in CISA KEV. Consequently the risk is moderate but could be amplified if privileged users are compromised.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply the Microsoft security update released for CVE-2026-50442 via Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog to all affected Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server machines.
  • Configure local group policy to restrict access to sensitive file attributes exposed by File Explorer, limiting visibility to only required users.
  • Enable audit logs for Explorer activity to detect any abnormal attempts to access sensitive information.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on July 31, 2026 at 07:50 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Microsoft windows 10 21h2
Microsoft windows 10 22h2
Microsoft windows 11 24h2
Microsoft windows 11 25h2
Microsoft windows 11 26h1
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 10 21h2
Microsoft windows 10 22h2
Microsoft windows 11 24h2
Microsoft windows 11 25h2
Microsoft windows 11 26h1
Microsoft windows Server 2016 (server Core Installation)
Microsoft windows Server 2019 (server Core Installation)
Microsoft windows Server 2025 (server Core Installation)
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor in Windows File Explorer allows an authorized attacker to disclose information locally.
Title Windows File Explorer Information Disclosure 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 2016
Microsoft windows Server 2019
Microsoft windows Server 2022
Microsoft windows Server 2025
Weaknesses CWE-200
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_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 2016
Microsoft windows Server 2019
Microsoft windows Server 2022
Microsoft windows Server 2025
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C'}