CVE-2026-42979: Microsoft Windows Push Notifications race condition privilege escalation

CVE-2026-42979 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-06-09

A security vulnerability exists in the Windows Push Notification service, which handles the delivery of alerts and updates to applications. An attacker who already has basic access to a computer could exploit this flaw to gain full administrative control over the system. This could allow them to access sensitive data, install malicious software, or disrupt business operations.

Technologies: Microsoft Windows Push Notifications. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-42979 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-42979 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-42979?
High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 9 June 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows Push Notifications.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-42979?
No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.
How is CVE-2026-42979 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-42979?
Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Push Notifications. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

Technical details

A race condition (CWE-362) exists in the Windows Push Notifications service due to improper synchronization when accessing shared resources. This flaw can lead to a use-after-free (CWE-416) scenario. An attacker with low-privileged local access can exploit this vulnerability by timing specific requests to the service. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to escape their current security context and gain elevated system privileges. The attack complexity is considered high because it requires precise timing to trigger the race condition.

Affected products

  • Microsoft Windows Push Notifications

Timeline

  • 2026-06-09: disclosed
  • 2026-06-09: advisory

References

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