Description
Use after free in Windows Kernel allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Published: 2026-07-14
Score: 7 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

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.

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

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

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

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 20:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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


Tue, 14 Jul 2026 17:45:00 +0000

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
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 22h2 Windows 11 24h2 Windows 11 25h2 Windows 11 26h1 Windows Server 2022 Windows Server 2025
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: microsoft

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-03T22:56:04.287Z

Reserved: 2026-06-04T18:59:17.977Z

Link: CVE-2026-50459

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-07-14T19:31:36.655Z

cve-icon NVD

No data.

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-07-31T07:45:12Z

Weaknesses