PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2026-50492 Microsoft CVE debrief
A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the Windows Resilient File System (ReFS). An unauthorized attacker could exploit this vulnerability with a physical attack to execute code. This vulnerability affects Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server systems. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.8 and a severity of MEDIUM. The vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute code on a vulnerable system with a physical attack. System administrators and users should be aware of this vulnerability and apply patches as available.
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Windows 10 Version 1607
- CVSS
- MEDIUM 6.8
- CISA KEV
- Not listed in stored evidence
- Original CVE published
- 2026-07-14
- Original CVE updated
- 2026-07-21
- Advisory published
- 2026-07-14
- Advisory updated
- 2026-07-21
Who should care
System administrators and users of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server systems should be aware of this vulnerability and apply patches as available. This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute code on a vulnerable system with a physical attack. System administrators should review the supplied official advisory or CVE record to validate affected scope, severity, and vendor guidance.
Technical summary
The vulnerability is a heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Resilient File System (ReFS). This could allow an attacker to execute code on a vulnerable system with a physical attack. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.8 and a severity of MEDIUM. The vulnerability affects Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server systems. Microsoft has released patches for this vulnerability, and system administrators should apply them as available.
Defensive priority
Apply patches as available; monitor system logs for suspicious activity; ensure physical security measures are in place; review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified; check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review.
Recommended defensive actions
- Apply patches as available from Microsoft.
- Monitor system logs for suspicious activity.
- Ensure physical security measures are in place to prevent unauthorized access to vulnerable systems.
- Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified.
- Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review.
Evidence notes
The CVE record was published on 2026-07-14T18:17:55.640Z and was last modified on 2026-07-21T18:21:48.223Z. The NVD entry is currently Analyzed. This vulnerability affects Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server systems. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.8 and a severity of MEDIUM. There are no known ransomware campaigns using this vulnerability. The CVE record was created based on information from Microsoft and other sources. However, the details of the vulnerability, such as the attack vector and potential impact, are limited.
Sources and references
Verified primary and authoritative sources
-
CVE-2026-50492 CVE Program record
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-50492
CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.
-
CVE-2026-50492 NVD vulnerability detail
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-50492
NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.
Supplemental references
-
Mitigation or vendor reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50492
[email protected] - Patch, Vendor Advisory
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.