CVE-2026-50364
HIGH 7.3Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Server Backup allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Severe if exploited (CVSS 7.3), but no known exploitation and low modeled probability. Patch on a normal cadence.
Exploitation likelihood
0.3%chance of exploitation in 30 days · 27th percentile
Impact if exploited
7.3CVSS 3.1 · HIGH
- ConfidentialityHigh
- IntegrityHigh
- AvailabilityHigh
What an attacker needs
- ⚠Access: Requires local access to the host
- ⚠Privileges: Requires a low-privilege account
- ⚠User interaction: A user must take an action (click / open a file)
- ✓Complexity: No special conditions — reliably repeatable
✓ lowers the bar for an attacker · ⚠ raises it
Proof of concept & exploit code
- github-search Search GitHub for public PoC repos
Test against your own equipment
curl -s https://vulnpedia.com/cve/CVE-2026-50364/poc.jsonMachine-readable PoC index for this CVE (for automation).Listed for defensive triage, patch verification, and authorized testing on systems you own. Machine-readable: /cve/CVE-2026-50364/poc.json
Affected
Vendors Microsoft
Products Windows 10 Version 21h2 Windows 10 Version 22h2 Windows 11 Version 24h2 Windows 11 Version 25h2 Windows 11 Version 26h1 Windows 10 21h2 Windows 10 22h2 Windows 11 24h2 Windows 11 25h2 Windows 11 26h1
Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-59: : Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
Known Affected Software Configurations
| Vendor | Product | Version range |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Windows 10 21h2 | < 10.0.19044.7548 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 21h2 | < 10.0.19044.7548 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 21h2 | < 10.0.19044.7548 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 22h2 | < 10.0.19045.7548 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 22h2 | < 10.0.19045.7548 |
| Microsoft | Windows 10 22h2 | < 10.0.19045.7548 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 24h2 | < 10.0.26100.8875 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 24h2 | < 10.0.26100.8875 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 25h2 | < 10.0.26200.8875 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 25h2 | < 10.0.26200.8875 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 26h1 | < 10.0.28000.2269 |
| Microsoft | Windows 11 26h1 | < 10.0.28000.2525 |
All CVSS metrics
- HIGH 7.3 v3.1 · CNA Primary
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C - HIGH 7.3 v3.1 · NVD Secondary
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H