CVE-2026-50367: Windows 10 1809 Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2026-50367 Overview

CVE-2026-50367 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability affecting the Windows Sensor Data Service. The flaw stems from incorrect access of an indexable resource, commonly known as a range error [CWE-118]. An authorized attacker with local access can exploit this issue to elevate privileges on the target system.

Microsoft published the advisory on 2026-07-14, and the entry was last updated on 2026-07-20. The vulnerability affects a broad range of supported Windows client and server releases, including Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2019 through 2025.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants an attacker elevated privileges on the local system, enabling complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Affected Products

Microsoft Windows 10 (versions 1809, 21H2, 22H2) across x86, x64, and ARM64 architectures
Microsoft Windows 11 (versions 24H2, 25H2, 26H1) across x64 and ARM64 architectures
Microsoft Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022, and Windows Server 2025

Discovery Timeline

2026-07-14 - CVE-2026-50367 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-07-20 - Last updated in the NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-50367

Vulnerability Analysis

The Windows Sensor Data Service processes data from hardware sensors and exposes interfaces that user-mode callers can invoke. CVE-2026-50367 is classified as an incorrect access of an indexable resource, meaning the service accesses an array, buffer, or similar indexed structure using an index that falls outside the expected bounds.

When a low-privileged local user submits crafted input to the service, the range error causes the process to read or write memory outside the intended boundary. Because the Sensor Data Service runs with elevated privileges, an attacker can leverage this incorrect access to influence execution flow or corrupt state used by the service. The result is elevation of privileges from a standard authenticated user context to that of the vulnerable service.

Root Cause

The root cause is a failure to validate an index or offset before accessing an indexable resource within the Sensor Data Service. This category, described by CWE-118, covers a range of boundary errors where the software operates on memory outside the intended range of an object.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access and low privileges but no user interaction. An attacker who has already obtained code execution on the host, for example through a phishing payload or a compromised low-privilege account, can invoke the vulnerable Sensor Data Service interface to trigger the range error and escalate privileges. See the Microsoft Security Advisory for vendor-provided technical detail.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-50367

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected crashes or restarts of the SensorDataService process recorded in the Windows Application or System event logs.
New processes spawned by svchost.exe hosting the Sensor Data Service that run as a standard user's session but with elevated tokens.
Modifications to protected registry keys or file system locations immediately after Sensor Data Service activity on a host.

Detection Strategies

Monitor for local privilege escalation patterns, especially child processes of Sensor Data Service host svchost.exe instances that were not previously observed in baseline telemetry.
Correlate low-privilege user logons with subsequent creation of processes running as SYSTEM or LOCAL SERVICE.
Alert on abnormal API calls or IPC traffic targeting Sensor Data Service endpoints from unusual user contexts.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable Windows Defender Attack Surface Reduction rules and audit process creation events (Event ID 4688) with command-line logging.
Forward Sysmon process, image load, and named pipe events to a centralized analytics platform for behavioral analysis.
Track patch deployment status across affected Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server assets to identify unpatched systems.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-50367

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the Microsoft security update referenced in the MSRC advisory for CVE-2026-50367 as soon as testing permits.
Prioritize patching on multi-user systems, terminal servers, and hosts where untrusted or low-privilege users can execute code.
Review local administrator group membership and remove unnecessary interactive logon rights for standard users.

Patch Information

Microsoft has released updates addressing CVE-2026-50367 for all supported Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server versions listed in the advisory. Administrators should consult the Microsoft Security Advisory for the specific KB article and update package matching each build.

Workarounds

If patching cannot be performed immediately, restrict interactive and remote logon access to trusted administrators only on affected hosts.
Where the Sensor Data Service (SensorDataService) is not required, disable the service and validate that dependent applications continue to function.
Apply application control policies such as Windows Defender Application Control or AppLocker to limit which binaries a low-privilege user may execute locally.

bash

# Query and disable the Sensor Data Service on hosts that do not require it
sc.exe query SensorDataService
sc.exe config SensorDataService start= disabled
sc.exe stop SensorDataService