# CVE-2026-50435: Microsoft Windows Overlay Filter privilege escalation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-50435-microsoft-windows-overlay-filter-privilege-escalation  
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-2026-50435 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-07-14

A security vulnerability has been identified in the Windows Overlay Filter, a component of the Windows operating system. 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 files, install malicious software, or disrupt business operations.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows 11](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-11), [Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2012-r2), [Microsoft Windows 10](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-50435 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-50435 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-50435?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 14 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows 11 24H2, 25H2, 26H1; Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 All versions; Microsoft Windows 10 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-50435?** A patch was published on 2026-07-14: Security updates released by Microsoft. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-50435 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-50435?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows 11, Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 or Microsoft Windows 10 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 local privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Windows Overlay Filter due to a buffer over-read and potential integer overflow (CWE-126, CWE-190). An attacker with low-privileged local access can exploit this flaw to execute code with elevated system privileges. The attack vector is local and requires no user interaction. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue across affected versions of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2012 R2.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows 10 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2
- Microsoft Windows 11 24H2, 25H2, 26H1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 All versions

## Timeline

- 2026-07-14: advisory: Microsoft published the security advisory.
- 2026-07-14: patched: Security updates released by Microsoft.

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50435](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50435)

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