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CVE-2026-49166 Microsoft CVE debrief

CVE-2026-49166 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Printer Drivers, allowing an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8 and is classified as HIGH. The vulnerability is a use-after-free issue in Microsoft Printer Drivers. System administrators and users of Microsoft Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 should be aware of this vulnerability and take necessary precautions.

Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Windows 11 Version 24H2
CVSS
HIGH 7.8
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-07-14
Original CVE updated
2026-07-22
Advisory published
2026-07-14
Advisory updated
2026-07-22

Who should care

System administrators and users of Microsoft Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 should be aware of this vulnerability and take necessary precautions to protect their systems.

Technical summary

The vulnerability is a use-after-free issue in Microsoft Printer Drivers. An authorized attacker can exploit this vulnerability to elevate privileges locally. The CVSS vector for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. The vulnerability affects Microsoft Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 systems.

Defensive priority

High

Recommended defensive actions

  • Apply patches provided by Microsoft
  • Ensure that Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 systems are up-to-date
  • Monitor systems for suspicious activity
  • Implement compensating controls to limit the attack surface
  • Review relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review

Evidence notes

The CVE record was published on 2026-07-14T17:16:51.370Z and was last modified on 2026-07-16T16:17:37.893Z. The NVD entry is currently Analyzed. The vulnerability is a use-after-free issue in Microsoft Printer Drivers, allowing an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. The CVSS vector for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. The evidence is limited, and defenders should verify the affected scope and vendor guidance.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-49166 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-49166

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-49166 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-49166

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.