Windows NTFS Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Plan PatchCVSS 7.3CVE-2026-50482Jul 14, 2026
Microsoft
IT in OT - Windows Server and Active Directory are widely deployed in OT environments
Attack path
Attack VectorLocal
Auth RequiredLow
ComplexityLow
User InteractionRequired
Summary
A heap-based buffer overflow in Windows NTFS allows an authorized local user to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability affects Windows 10 (all supported versions), Windows 11 (all supported versions), Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025. Microsoft has released patches for all affected versions.
What this means
What could happen
An authorized user on a Windows system could execute arbitrary code with system privileges by exploiting a heap buffer overflow in NTFS, potentially taking full control of the machine or causing it to crash.
Who's at risk
IT administrators and OT staff responsible for Windows servers and workstations, particularly those running Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, or Windows 10/11 across your organization. This is especially relevant if you have SCADA systems, historian servers, or engineering workstations running on Windows Server infrastructure.
How it could be exploited
An attacker with a local user account on the system could craft a malicious NTFS file or issue specific file system operations to trigger the buffer overflow. The attacker would need to interact with the file system through the Windows API or command-line tools, allowing them to run arbitrary code at the privilege level of the process they compromise.
Prerequisites
- Local user account credentials on the affected Windows system
- User interaction or ability to craft malicious NTFS file operations
- Access to the local file system
no authentication required for local exploitlow complexity attackaffects Windows Server systems used in critical infrastructure
Exploitability
Unlikely to be exploited — EPSS score 0.4%
Affected products (23)
23 with fix
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
Remediation & Mitigation
0/3
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/2Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption
Windows Server 2016
HOTFIXPrioritize patching Windows Server 2016, Server 2019, and Server 2022 systems first if you run production infrastructure on these versions
All products
HOTFIXApply the July 2026 Windows security update to your affected systems
Long-term hardening
0/1HARDENINGRestrict local user account creation and limit the number of accounts with interactive logon privileges to minimize the number of users who could exploit this vulnerability
CVEs (1)
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