Description
Use after free in Windows Kernel allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Published: 2026-07-14
Score: 7.8 High
EPSS: 1.7% Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

A use‑after‑free flaw in the Windows Win32k kernel allows an authorized local user to gain elevated privileges. With elevated privileges the attacker can execute arbitrary code, install malware, exfiltrate data, or disrupt services, thereby compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Affected Systems

Microsoft Windows 10 versions 1607, 1809, 21H2, and 22H2; Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1; and Windows Server releases 2012 (including Core), 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025 (including Core). All supported x86, x64, and ARM64 architectures are affected depending on the specific OS release.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.8 indicates high severity. The EPSS score of 2% signals a low to moderate likelihood of exploitation. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, implying no confirmed widespread exploitation to date. Attackers must already have local access and authorization; any local user with suitable privileges can potentially exploit the flaw, creating a foothold for lateral movement within the network.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on July 31, 2026 at 07:16 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2026-50688 that is published by the Microsoft Security Response Center.
  • Ensure that all affected Windows clients and servers are upgraded to at least the cumulative updates that include the patch.
  • Limit local user privileges to the least required functionality to reduce potential impact.
  • Enforce Device Guard or Windows Defender Exploit Guard to help mitigate kernel‑level exploitation attempts.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on July 31, 2026 at 07:16 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 05:30:00 +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 authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Title Windows 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-416
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': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/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: 2026-08-03T22:56:38.386Z

Reserved: 2026-06-05T14:35:07.080Z

Link: CVE-2026-50688

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-07-14T19:20:33.969Z

cve-icon NVD

No data.

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-07-31T07:30:04Z

Weaknesses