CVE-2026-50486: Microsoft Windows Runtime use after free privilege escalation

CVE-2026-50486 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-07-14

A security vulnerability has been identified in the Windows Runtime, a core component of the Microsoft 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 data, install malicious software, or disrupt business operations.

Technologies: Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21H2, Microsoft Windows 10 Version 22H2, Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24H2, Microsoft Windows 11 Version 25H2, Microsoft Windows 11 Version 26H1, Microsoft Windows Server 2025. Vendors: Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-50486 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-50486 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-50486?
High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 14 July 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21H2 10.0.19044.0 to 10.0.19044.7548; Microsoft Windows 10 Version 22H2 10.0.19045.0 to 10.0.19045.7548; 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; and 2 more.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-50486?
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-2026-50486 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-50486?
Check whether you run Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21H2, Microsoft Windows 10 Version 22H2, Microsoft Windows 11 Version 24H2 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 use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) exists in the Windows Runtime (WinRT) component of multiple Microsoft Windows versions. The flaw is triggered when the system improperly handles objects in memory, allowing a locally authenticated attacker with low privileges to execute code with elevated system permissions. The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to have prior access to the target machine, but no user interaction is required. Microsoft has released security updates to address this issue across affected versions of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2025.

Affected products

  • Microsoft Windows 10 Version 21H2 10.0.19044.0 to 10.0.19044.7548
  • Microsoft Windows 10 Version 22H2 10.0.19045.0 to 10.0.19045.7548
  • 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

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