Description
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Win32K allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Published: 2026-07-14
Score: 8.8 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

A heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Win32K graphics subsystem allows an authorized local user to gain elevated privileges on the system. The vulnerability is documented as CWE-122, indicating that improper handling of heap data can lead to memory corruption that an attacker can exploit to execute arbitrary code with higher permissions.

Affected Systems

Affected products include all listed Windows 10 releases (1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2), Windows 11 releases (24H2, 25H2, 26H1), and Windows Server editions from 2012 through 2025, including both full and Core installations.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 8.8 reflects a high impact severity, while the EPSS score of less than 1% suggests a low probability of exploitation at present. The vulnerability is not currently identified in the CISA KEV catalog. The likely attack vector is a local context, with the attacker needing authorised access to the compromised machine, which is consistent with the nature of a privilege escalation flaw.

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

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2026-50489 via Windows Update or the Microsoft update guide.
  • Ensure the patch is installed on all affected Windows 10, 11, and Server systems listed.
  • Apply the principle of least privilege by limiting local user accounts to non-administrative roles and disabling unnecessary elevated services.

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

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 11:30:00 +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 Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Win32K allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Title Win32k 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-122
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
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/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 22h2 Windows 11 24h2 Windows 11 25h2 Windows 11 26h1 Windows Server 2012 Windows Server 2012 R2 Windows Server 2016 Windows Server 2019 Windows Server 2022 Windows Server 2025
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: microsoft

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-03T22:56:14.017Z

Reserved: 2026-06-04T18:59:53.337Z

Link: CVE-2026-50489

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-07-15T10:30:23.951Z

cve-icon NVD

No data.

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

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

Weaknesses
  • CWE-122

    Heap-based Buffer Overflow