CVE-2026-50496 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
Out-of-bounds read in Windows Network Policy Server SNMP allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information over a network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2026
The vulnerability described represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Windows Network Policy Server SNMP component that enables unauthorized remote attackers to extract sensitive information from affected systems. This issue occurs when the Network Policy Server processes SNMP requests, specifically during the handling of certain SNMP query responses where insufficient bounds checking is performed on input data structures. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of array indices or buffer boundaries within the SNMP processing logic, allowing an attacker to craft malicious SNMP packets that trigger memory access violations beyond allocated buffer limits.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the Network Policy Server's SNMP subsystem failing to properly validate the length and content of incoming SNMP messages before processing them. When legitimate SNMP queries are received, the system attempts to construct response packets containing network policy information, but due to improper bounds checking in the SNMP message parsing routine, an attacker can manipulate the input parameters to cause the application to read memory locations outside of intended buffer boundaries. This condition typically manifests as a memory access violation that can be leveraged to disclose portions of the process memory space, potentially exposing sensitive configuration data, authentication tokens, or system information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise network security infrastructure since Network Policy Servers are critical components in managing network access controls and authentication policies. Attackers exploiting this flaw could potentially obtain detailed information about network configurations, user authentication details, or policy enforcement mechanisms that would otherwise remain protected. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as the leaked data could enable more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation, lateral movement within the network, or targeted exploitation of other system components. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require physical access or local system privileges to exploit the flaw.
The weakness aligns with CWE-129 which addresses insufficient bounds checking in input validation scenarios, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1082 for system information discovery and T1046 for network service scanning. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Microsoft security updates, configuring network segmentation to limit SNMP access to trusted sources, and implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious SNMP traffic patterns. Network administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary SNMP services on Network Policy Servers and enforcing strict access controls through firewall rules that restrict SNMP communication to authorized management stations only.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in network service components and highlights how seemingly minor implementation flaws in system libraries can create substantial security risks. Given the foundational role that Network Policy Servers play in enterprise authentication infrastructure, organizations must prioritize remediation efforts and conduct thorough security assessments to identify potential similar vulnerabilities in other network services. Continuous monitoring for exploitation attempts and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence regarding this specific vulnerability will help organizations respond effectively to any targeted attacks attempting to leverage this out-of-bounds read condition.
Microsoft recommends immediate deployment of the relevant security patches addressing this vulnerability through their regular security update cycle, while network administrators should implement additional defensive measures including network access controls, logging and monitoring configurations, and comprehensive incident response procedures. The remediation process should include verifying that SNMP services are properly configured with appropriate authentication mechanisms and that only necessary SNMP versions are enabled on production Network Policy Server implementations.