CVE-2026-50475 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
Buffer over-read in Windows Kernel allows an authorized attacker to disclose information locally.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer over-read condition within the windows kernel that enables authenticated attackers to perform local information disclosure attacks. The flaw occurs when the kernel fails to properly validate input boundaries during memory operations, allowing malicious code to read data beyond allocated buffer limits. Such vulnerabilities typically arise from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms in kernel-mode drivers or system components that process user-supplied data. The technical implementation involves memory access violations where the system attempts to read memory locations that extend beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive kernel memory contents including credentials, encryption keys, or other confidential information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it creates potential attack vectors for privilege escalation and lateral movement within compromised systems. An attacker with local user privileges can leverage this flaw to extract privileged information that would normally be protected by kernel memory isolation mechanisms. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125 identified as "Out-of-bounds Read" and represents a common pattern in kernel-level security flaws where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption behaviors. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where all system operations are processed, making it an attractive target for adversaries seeking persistent access or privilege elevation.
From a defensive standpoint, this vulnerability requires immediate attention through proper patch management and system hardening practices. Organizations should implement regular security updates to address known kernel vulnerabilities while also deploying runtime monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous memory access patterns. The mitigation strategy must include comprehensive application whitelisting, mandatory access controls, and network segmentation to limit potential exploitation avenues. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments focusing on kernel-mode components and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored for kernel-level attacks. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining secure coding practices in system-level software development and highlights the necessity of thorough code reviews for kernel drivers that handle untrusted input data.
The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of operating system kernel vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges. The attack chain typically begins with initial access through legitimate user accounts followed by exploitation of the buffer over-read condition to extract sensitive information or establish persistent access mechanisms. Organizations implementing zero-trust security models should treat such vulnerabilities as high-priority targets for remediation since they represent fundamental weaknesses in system integrity. Proper vulnerability management programs must include continuous monitoring of security advisories, automated patch deployment systems, and regular penetration testing focused on kernel-level attack surfaces to identify similar weaknesses before exploitation occurs.