# CVE-2026-50480: Microsoft Windows heap overflow in WPAD

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-50480-microsoft-windows-heap-overflow-in-wpad  
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-2026-50480 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-07-14

A security vulnerability exists in the Windows component responsible for automatically discovering web proxy settings. An attacker who already has basic access to a computer could exploit this flaw to gain full administrative control over the system. This could lead to the unauthorized access of sensitive data or the installation of malicious software across the corporate network.

Technologies: [Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2012-r2), [Microsoft Windows 10](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-10), [Microsoft Windows Server 2012](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2012), [Microsoft Windows Server 2016](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows-server-2016). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-50480 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-50480 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-50480?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 14 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Windows 10 10.0.14393.0 to 10.0.14393.9339; Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Various versions prior to July 2026 updates.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-50480?** 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-2026-50480 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-50480?** Check whether you run Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2, Microsoft Windows 10, Microsoft Windows Server 2012 or one of the others listed 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 heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-122) exists in the Windows Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Protocol (WPAD) service. The flaw is triggered when the service improperly handles memory allocation during proxy discovery operations. An attacker with low-privileged local access can exploit this by running a specially crafted application, leading to arbitrary code execution with elevated system privileges. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue across affected versions of Windows 10 and Windows Server.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607 10.0.14393.0 to 10.0.14393.9339
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2 / 2016 Various versions prior to July 2026 updates

## Timeline

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

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50480](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50480)

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