CVE-2026-50688
HighCVSS 7.8Exploitation Probability (EPSS)
Elevated risk75th percentile - higher than 75% of all known CVEs
Summary
A Use-After-Free vulnerability in the Windows kernel allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. The issue stems from improper memory management in the kernel, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution in kernel context.
Risk Assessment
An attacker with limited privileges could gain full control over the system, enabling malware installation, data theft, or lateral movement to other systems in the network.
Recommendation
Apply the security update released by Microsoft as part of the monthly cumulative patch immediately. Before installing the update, restrict trusted local user accounts.
Other vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel
See all- CVE-2026-35420High
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Kernel allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
- CVE-2017-11847High
The Windows kernel vulnerability allows an attacker to run arbitrary code in kernel mode, which can lead to installing programs, changing or deleting data, and creating new accounts with full user rights.
- CVE-2017-8561High
The Windows kernel has a privilege escalation vulnerability due to the way it handles objects in memory. This affects multiple versions of Windows, including Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2016.
- CVE-2026-49798Critical
Use-after-free vulnerability in the Windows kernel allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
- CVE-2026-45657Critical
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Windows Kernel allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code remotely over a network.
- CVE-2026-40369High
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Kernel allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
- CVE-2026-24289High
A use after free vulnerability in the Windows Kernel allows an authorized attacker to locally elevate privileges.
- CVE-2024-30088HighActively exploited
A vulnerability in the Windows kernel allows elevation of privilege. This flaw can be exploited by a local attacker to gain higher privileges on the system.
- CVE-2024-21371High
Elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows kernel. Allows a local attacker to gain elevated privileges.
- CVE-2024-21338HighActively exploited
Elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows kernel, allowing an attacker to gain higher privileges on the system.
Original NVD description (English source)
Use after free in Windows Kernel allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.