CVE-2026-50516: Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
CVE-2026-50516 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability in Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service, rated Critical by Microsoft, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.4 (Critical). An attacker can exploit it remotely over the network, without any privileges and without user interaction. Microsoft has not reported exploitation in the wild and rates exploitation as less likely. The EPSS model estimates a 0.83% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 58% of all scored vulnerabilities. Microsoft published it on 6 August 2026, outside Patch Tuesday. It affects 1 product in 1 product family (Azure).
Key facts
- CVE ID
- CVE-2026-50516
- Severity
- Critical CVSS 9.4
- Microsoft severity
- Critical
- Impact
- Elevation of Privilege
- Exploited in the wild
- No
- Publicly disclosed
- No
- Exploitation likelihood
- Less Likely
- Weakness
- CWE-306
- EPSS
- 0.83% (percentile 58%)
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Released
- Last updated
- Patch Tuesday
- August 2026 Patch Tuesday
- Product families
- Azure
CVSS score and vector
Microsoft scores CVE-2026-50516 at 9.4 (temporal 8.2) using CVSS 3.1. Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Attack vector | Network |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges required | None |
| User interaction | None |
| Scope | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality impact | High |
| Integrity impact | High |
| Availability impact | Low |
| Exploit code maturity | Unproven |
| Remediation level | Official fix |
| Report confidence | Confirmed |
Description
Incorrect authorization in Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
Frequently asked questions (Microsoft)
Why are there no links to an update or instructions with steps that must be taken to protect from this vulnerability?
This vulnerability has already been fully mitigated by Microsoft. There is no action for users of this service to take. The purpose of this CVE is to provide further transparency.
Please see Toward greater transparency: Unveiling Cloud Service CVEs for more information.
Affected products (1)
Azure
| Product | Security update | Type | Fixed build | Restart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Kubernetes Service |
NIST NVD data
- NVD status
- Analyzed
- NVD CVSS
- 9.4 (CRITICAL)
- NVD weakness
- CWE-306
- Published to NVD
- NVD last modified
Affected configurations (CPE)
| Product | Vulnerable versions |
|---|---|
| azure kubernetes service | all listed versions |
References
- https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50516 (Vendor Advisory)
Acknowledgments
- Shay Shavit with Microsoft
Revision history
| Version | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Information published. |