# CVE-2026-50385: Microsoft Windows Runtime privilege escalation via race condition

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-50385-microsoft-windows-runtime-privilege-escalation-via-race-condition  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-14. Updated: 2026-07-14  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-50385 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.8 · Published 2026-07-14

A security vulnerability exists in the Windows Runtime, a core component of the Windows operating system used by applications to interact with the system. An attacker who already has basic access to a computer could exploit this flaw to gain full administrative control over the device. This could allow them to access sensitive files, install malicious software, or disrupt business operations.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows 11](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11), [Microsoft Windows Server 2025](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2025). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-50385 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-50385 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-50385?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 14 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows 11 10.0.26100.0 to 10.0.26100.8875; Microsoft Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.0 to 10.0.26100.33158.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-50385?** 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-2026-50385 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-50385?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows 11 or Microsoft Windows Server 2025 at an affected version. 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) and associated use-after-free (CWE-416) vulnerability exist in the Windows Runtime component. The flaw stems from improper synchronization when multiple processes or threads access shared resources simultaneously. An authorized attacker with local access can exploit this timing issue to execute code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is particularly severe as it carries a Scope change (S:C) in its CVSS metric, indicating the impact can extend beyond the immediate execution environment. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue across affected versions of Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24H2 10.0.26100.0 to 10.0.26100.8875
- Microsoft Windows 11 Version 25H2 10.0.26200.0 to 10.0.26200.8875
- Microsoft Windows 11 version 26H1 10.0.28000.0 to 10.0.28000.2269
- Microsoft Windows Server 2025 10.0.26100.0 to 10.0.26100.33158

## Timeline

- 2026-07-14: disclosed
- 2026-07-14: advisory

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50385](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50385)

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