CVE-2026-50509 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
Deserialization of untrusted data in Windows Wireless Wide Area Network Service 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 deserialization flaw within the Windows Wireless Wide Area Network service that enables local privilege escalation for authenticated attackers. This issue stems from the service's improper handling of untrusted data during the deserialization process, creating an avenue for malicious code execution with elevated privileges. The Windows Wireless Wide Area Network service operates with high system privileges to manage wireless network connections and configurations, making it a prime target for exploitation. When this service processes malformed or crafted input data without adequate validation, it can lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the SYSTEM account.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common deserialization attack patterns that fall under CWE-502, which specifically addresses "Deserialization of Untrusted Data." This weakness occurs when applications deserialize data from untrusted sources without sufficient validation or sanitization measures. In the context of Windows Wireless Wide Area Network service, attackers can craft malicious input that, when processed by the vulnerable deserialization routine, triggers code execution with elevated privileges. The flaw typically manifests during the processing of network configuration parameters or connection metadata that the service receives from authenticated users.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to enterprise environments where wireless network services are actively deployed. The requirement for local authentication means that attackers must first establish a valid user session on the target system, but once achieved, they can leverage this weakness to gain SYSTEM-level access. This privilege escalation capability allows attackers to bypass standard security controls and potentially move laterally within the network or establish persistent access. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level without requiring specialized tools or complex exploitation techniques beyond crafting appropriate serialized data payloads.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including regular patch management for Windows operating systems and wireless network components, along with monitoring for anomalous deserialization activities in system logs. Network segmentation and privilege minimization principles can help reduce the impact if exploitation occurs. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1068, "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," and T1547.001, "Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder," as attackers may attempt to establish persistence following successful privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing application control measures such as AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control to restrict the execution of unauthorized binaries that might be deployed during exploitation attempts.