CVE-2026-50499 is a Windows Print Spooler heap-based buffer overflow that can lead to elevation of privilege to SYSTEM. Microsoft rates it at CVSS v3.1 base 7.8 and temporal 6.8, with a LOCAL attack vector, LOW attack complexity, LOW privileges required, and no user interaction. The vulnerability affects Windows client and server releases listed below. Microsoft says it is not publicly disclosed and not exploited, with exploit code maturity UNPROVEN. Because the attack is local rather than network-based, enterprise risk is primarily on systems where a local attacker can obtain a foothold.

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; successful exploitation could grant SYSTEM privileges.
- Exploitation likelihood: Exploitation Less Likely; vector context is LOCAL, LOW attack complexity, LOW privileges required, and no user interaction.
- Severity for enterprise: High severity due to SYSTEM-level privilege escalation, but lower exposure than a network-reachable flaw because exploitation requires local access.
- Patch status: available; customer action 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