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CVE-2026-54996 Microsoft CVE debrief

A race condition vulnerability in the Windows USB Print Driver allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. This issue affects various versions of Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025. Microsoft has released a patch for this vulnerability. The vulnerability is a race condition in the Windows USB Print Driver, which can be exploited by an authorized attacker to gain elevated privileges on affected systems. The affected systems include Windows 11 Version 24H2, Windows 11 Version 25H2, Windows 11 version 26H1, Windows Server 2025, and Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation).

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
2026-10-08
Advisory published
2026-07-14
Advisory updated
2026-10-08

Who should care

Defenders responsible for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 systems should assess exposure and apply patches. They should also inventory exposed systems, verify mitigations, and review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified.

Why it matters

CVE-2026-54996 allows authorized attackers to elevate privileges locally on Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 systems. Defenders should apply patches, inventory exposed systems, and verify mitigations.

  • Local privilege escalation requires immediate patching
  • Inventory and verify systems for exposure
  • Verify local privilege escalation mitigations

Technical summary

The Windows USB Print Driver has a race condition vulnerability that allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally. Affected systems include Windows 11 Version 24H2, Windows 11 Version 25H2, Windows 11 version 26H1, Windows Server 2025, and Windows Server 2025 (Server Core installation).

Defensive priority

Apply patches for CVE-2026-54996 immediately, as it allows for local privilege escalation.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Apply patches for CVE-2026-54996
  • Inventory Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 systems for exposure
  • Verify local privilege escalation mitigations

Evidence notes

The CVE record and Microsoft's advisory provide details on the vulnerability and affected systems. The vulnerability is a race condition in the Windows USB Print Driver, which can be exploited by an authorized attacker to gain elevated privileges on affected systems. The CVE record was published on 2026-07-14T17:04:53.546Z and has not been modified since then. The Microsoft advisory provides additional information on the vulnerability and the affected systems.

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.