CVE-2026-50459

Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Published Jul 14, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed

Description

Use after free in Windows Kernel allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Analysis

Technical impact

This vulnerability is a kernel‑level use‑after‑free that enables an attacker who can run arbitrary code locally to gain SYSTEM privileges. The flaw is identified as CWE‑416, and given its local nature, any code executing in user mode can potentially trigger the bug, leading to a complete compromise of the host.

Affected Systems

Microsoft Windows 10 versions 21H2 and 22H2, Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1, Windows Server 2022, and Windows Server 2025—including Server Core installations—are affected. The updates addressing this issue are listed in the Microsoft Security Update Guide.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.0 signifies a medium severity impact, while the EPSS score of less than 1% indicates a low likelihood of exploitation at present. The vulnerability is not listed in CISA’s KEV catalog. Exploitation requires local code execution, after which an attacker can elevate privileges to SYSTEM level, providing full control over the affected machine.

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 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 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_21h2::::::::
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_10_22h2::::::::
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_24h2::::::::
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_11_25h2::::::::
	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_2022::::::::
	cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025::::::::

No data.

Vendor Product Versions

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 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

Install the security update that addresses CVE-2026-50459 from the Microsoft Security Update Guide.
Ensure User Account Control is enabled at the highest setting and that users operate with the least privileges necessary.
Restrict local privileged access by disabling or limiting third‑party kernel drivers and only running applications with elevated rights when absolutely needed.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on July 31, 2026 at 07:39 UTC.

Tracking

Advisories

No advisories available

Metrics

No CVSS v4.0

Attack Vector Local

Attack Complexity High

Privileges Required None

Scope Unchanged

Confidentiality Impact High

Integrity Impact High

Availability Impact High

User Interaction Required

No CVSS v3.0

No CVSS v2

This CVE is not in the KEV list.

Exploit prediction score: < 1% (0.303% probability within 30 days)

Exploitation none

Automatable no

Technical Impact total

References

Link	Providers
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50459

History

Nov 11, 2026 12:15 AM First appearance in the feed. Affected vendors updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
First Time appeared		Microsoft windows Server 2025 (server Core Installation)
Vendors & Products		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		Use after free in Windows Kernel allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Title		Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
First Time appeared		Microsoft Microsoft windows 10 21h2 Microsoft windows 10 22h2 Microsoft windows 11 24h2 Microsoft windows 11 25h2 Microsoft windows 11 26h1 Microsoft windows Server 2022 Microsoft windows Server 2025
Weaknesses		CWE-416
CPEs		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_2022:::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2025::::::::
Vendors & Products		Microsoft Microsoft windows 10 21h2 Microsoft windows 10 22h2 Microsoft windows 11 24h2 Microsoft windows 11 25h2 Microsoft windows 11 26h1 Microsoft windows Server 2022 Microsoft windows Server 2025
References		https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50459
Metrics		cvssV3_1 `{'score': 7, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C'}`

Subscriptions

Microsoft 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 2022 Windows Server 2025 Windows Server 2025 (server Core Installation)

Weaknesses