CVE-2026-50493 is a DirectX Graphics Kernel use-after-free vulnerability that leads to elevation of privilege on Windows. Microsoft rates it CVSS v3.1 7.8 (High) with a temporal score of 6.8. The attack vector is LOCAL, with LOW attack complexity, LOW privileges required, and no user interaction. Impact is high across confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Microsoft reports no public disclosure, no known exploitation, and exploit code maturity is UNPROVEN. Because exploitation requires local access, enterprise risk is primarily to systems where an attacker can obtain local execution.

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 with HIGH confidentiality, HIGH integrity, and HIGH availability impacts.
- Exploitation likelihood: Exploitation Less Likely; the vector is LOCAL with LOW attack complexity, LOW privileges required, and no user interaction.
- Severity for enterprise: High severity, but lower exposure than network-reachable issues because exploitation is local-only. Risk is more relevant on systems where untrusted local code or users may be present.
- Patch status: available; customer action is required.

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