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CVE-2026-50462 Microsoft CVE debrief

CVE-2026-50462 is a HIGH severity vulnerability in Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock, allowing an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. The vulnerability is caused by external control of file name or path, and Microsoft has released a patch for this vulnerability. System administrators and users of Windows operating systems should be aware of this vulnerability and apply the necessary patches to prevent privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8 and is classified as HIGH severity. Additional security measures, such as monitoring system logs and implementing compensating controls, are recommended to prevent local privilege escalation attacks.

Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Windows 10 Version 1607
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 Windows operating systems should be aware of this vulnerability and apply the necessary patches to prevent privilege escalation attacks. Security teams and vulnerability management teams should prioritize patching this vulnerability due to its HIGH severity and potential impact on system security.

Technical summary

The vulnerability is caused by external control of file name or path in Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock, allowing an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8 and is classified as HIGH severity. Affected systems should be patched or mitigated according to vendor guidance. Additional security measures, such as monitoring system logs, are recommended to prevent local privilege escalation attacks.

Defensive priority

High priority should be given to patching this vulnerability, as it allows for local privilege escalation. Additional security measures, such as monitoring system logs and implementing compensating controls, are recommended to prevent local privilege escalation attacks.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Apply the patch released by Microsoft
  • Ensure all Windows operating systems are up-to-date
  • Monitor system logs for suspicious activity
  • Implement additional security measures to prevent local privilege escalation attacks
  • Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified

Evidence notes

The CVE record was published on 2026-07-14T18:17:51.497Z and was last modified on 2026-07-21T03:33:21.367Z. The NVD entry is currently Analyzed. This vulnerability affects Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock, allowing an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. The CVE record and NVD entry provide details on the vulnerability, but additional verification is recommended to ensure accurate scope and impact assessment.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-50462 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-50462

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

  • CVE-2026-50462 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-50462

    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.