Severity by source
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Local EoP needing a standard-user foothold (AV:L/PR:L) via a low-complexity link-following race that yields SYSTEM, giving full C/I/A impact.
Primary rating from Vendor (microsoft).
CVSS VectorVendor: microsoft
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionCVE.org
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Projected File System allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
AnalysisAI
Local privilege escalation in the Windows Projected File System (ProjFS) driver lets an authenticated low-privileged attacker abuse a symbolic-link/junction race (CWE-59 link following) to redirect a privileged file operation and gain SYSTEM-level rights across Windows 10 (1809-22H2), Windows 11 (24H2/25H2/26H1), and Windows Server 2019/2022/2025. Microsoft has released a patch; there is no public exploit identified at time of analysis and the flaw is not listed in CISA KEV.
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Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata
Vulnerability AssessmentAI
| Exploitation | Requires the attacker to already hold local, authenticated standard-user access to the target Windows machine (AV:L/PR:L), and the vulnerable Windows Projected File System driver must be present/active on the host (default in the affected Windows 10/11 and Server 2019-2025 SKUs). … Additional conditions and limiting factors are described in the full assessment. |
| Risk Assessment | The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8 (High) with vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and full confidentiality/integrity/availability impact, which is the classic profile of a reliable local EoP. … Full risk analysis with EPSS, KEV, and SSVC signal comparison available after sign-in. |
| Exploit Scenario | A local attacker who already has standard-user access on a Windows host (for example after phishing-delivered code execution or on a shared terminal server) plants a malicious symbolic link or junction and triggers a ProjFS-mediated file operation, winning a race so the privileged operation follows the link to an attacker-chosen target. This lets them overwrite or create a protected file and escalate from limited user to SYSTEM. … |
| Remediation | Patch available per vendor advisory - apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2026-50469 to every affected SKU via Windows Update / WSUS / the Microsoft Update Catalog; the exact fixed build numbers per Windows version are listed at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50469 (specific patched build numbers were not provided in this input, so consult the MSRC page for the KB matching each OS version). … Detailed patch versions, workarounds, and compensating controls in full report. |
Recommended ActionAI
Within 24 hours, identify and inventory all Windows 10 (versions 1809-22H2), Windows 11 (versions 24H2/25H2/26H1), and Windows Server 2019/2022/2025 systems within your environment. …
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Same weakness CWE-59 – Improper Link Resolution Before File Access
View allSame technique Information Disclosure
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External POC / Exploit Code
Leaving vuln.today
EUVD-2026-43942
GHSA-p2ww-x77q-j883