CVE-2026-49176 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
Improper privilege management in Windows WalletService allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2026
The vulnerability described represents a critical improper privilege management flaw within the Windows WalletService component that enables local privilege escalation for authorized attackers. This weakness stems from insufficient access control mechanisms within the service architecture, allowing authenticated users to exploit misconfigured permissions and elevate their privileges from standard user level to SYSTEM level. The WalletService operates with elevated privileges due to its role in managing sensitive cryptographic keys and payment information, making it an attractive target for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the service's improper handling of access tokens and security descriptors during authentication and authorization processes. When legitimate users interact with WalletService, the system fails to properly validate or restrict the privileges associated with these interactions, creating opportunities for malicious code execution with elevated permissions. This flaw specifically manifests when the service does not adequately enforce mandatory integrity control or fails to implement proper privilege separation mechanisms that would normally prevent unauthorized elevation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security risks to Windows environments as it allows attackers who have already gained user-level access to escalate their privileges without requiring additional authentication mechanisms. The attack vector typically involves leveraging existing user sessions or exploiting service misconfigurations to execute malicious payloads that exploit the privilege management gap. This capability undermines the fundamental security model of Windows operating systems by allowing local users to bypass normal access controls and gain administrative privileges.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes improper privilege management in software systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation.' Security professionals should implement comprehensive monitoring of WalletService activities and establish strict access control policies. Mitigation strategies include applying Microsoft security patches promptly, implementing least privilege principles for service accounts, and conducting regular security audits of Windows service configurations. Organizations should also deploy enhanced endpoint detection and response solutions to monitor for suspicious privilege escalation activities and consider implementing application whitelisting controls to prevent unauthorized execution of malicious code within the WalletService context.
The broader implications extend beyond immediate privilege escalation as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in system services. Security frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework emphasize the need for robust identity and access management controls, which are directly compromised by this type of improper privilege management. Regular security assessments should include comprehensive service privilege reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities across other Windows components, ensuring that all system services maintain appropriate security boundaries and access restrictions.