How severe is CVE-2026-50516?

CVE-2026-50516 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.4, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability low.

Is CVE-2026-50516 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (53rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2026-50516?

CVE-2026-50516 affects Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2026-50516?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2026-50516 published?

CVE-2026-50516 was published on 2026-08-11 and last updated on 2026-08-12.

CVE-2026-50516

CVE-2026-50516 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.4. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-306.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.4)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (53rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-306
Affected product: Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service
Published: 2026-08-11
Last modified: 2026-08-12

Description

Missing authentication for critical function in Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-50516?: Missing authentication for critical function in Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
How severe is CVE-2026-50516?: CVE-2026-50516 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.4, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability low.
Is CVE-2026-50516 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (53rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2026-50516?: CVE-2026-50516 affects Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2026-50516?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2026-50516 published?: CVE-2026-50516 was published on 2026-08-11 and last updated on 2026-08-12.

References

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50516

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:azure_kubernetes_service:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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