CVE-2026-50450 - Windows Network Connections Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability - is a race condition in the Windows Network Connections Service that can lead to elevation of privilege. Microsoft rates it CVSS v3.1 base 7.8 (High) with a temporal score of 6.8; the vector is local access, low privileges required, no user interaction, high attack complexity, and changed scope. Microsoft states the issue is not publicly disclosed or exploited, with exploit code maturity unproven. If successfully exploited, an attacker could gain SYSTEM privileges. Because the attack is local rather than network-based, enterprise risk is highest on systems where untrusted local access is possible.

Highlights:
- CVSS scores: Base 7.8 - Temporal 6.8
- Exploit status & code maturity: Publicly Disclosed: No; Exploited: No; Exploit Code Maturity: UNPROVEN.
- Impact: Elevation of Privilege; confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all HIGH.
- Exploitation likelihood: Exploitation Less Likely; local vector, HIGH attack complexity, LOW privileges required, and NO user interaction.
- Severity for enterprise: High severity, but lower exposure for typical remote attack paths because exploitation requires local access. Risk is more relevant on shared or multi-user Windows systems where a local attacker already has limited access.
- Patch status: available

Affected systems:
- Windows 10 1809
- Windows 10 21H2
- Windows 10 22H2
- Windows 11 24H2
- Windows 11 25H2
- Windows 11 26H1
- Windows 11 unspecified
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2022
- Windows Server 2025