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CVE-2026-54996 Microsoft CVE debrief

CVE-2026-54996 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Windows USB Print Driver. This vulnerability is caused by a race condition, which allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7 and a CVSS severity of HIGH. Microsoft has released a patch for this vulnerability. System administrators and users of Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 should be aware of this vulnerability and take steps to mitigate it.

Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Windows 11 Version 24H2
CVSS
HIGH 7
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-07-14
Original CVE updated
2026-07-20
Advisory published
2026-07-14
Advisory updated
2026-07-20

Who should care

System administrators and users of Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 should be aware of this vulnerability and take steps to mitigate it. This vulnerability could be used to gain elevated privileges on a system, which could lead to a compromise of the system and potentially allow an attacker to access sensitive data.

Technical summary

The vulnerability is caused by a race condition in the Windows USB Print Driver. This allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7 and a CVSS severity of HIGH. The Windows USB Print Driver is a critical component of the Windows operating system, and this vulnerability could be used to gain elevated privileges on a system.

Defensive priority

High

Recommended defensive actions

  • Apply the patch released by Microsoft
  • Ensure that the Windows USB Print Driver is up to date
  • Monitor system logs for potential exploitation attempts
  • 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 2026-07-14T17:17:07.310Z and was last modified on 2026-07-20T17:09:49.003Z. The NVD entry is currently Analyzed. This vulnerability affects Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025. Microsoft has released a patch for this vulnerability. The CVE record was published by the CVE Numbering Authority (CNA) and is maintained by the National Vulnerability Database (NVD).

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-54996 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-54996

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

  • CVE-2026-54996 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-54996

    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.