CVE-2026-41091

Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Microsoft Defender allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

CVSS v3 7.8 HIGH

7.8^/10

CVSS v3 : HIGH

Vector :

Exploitability : 1.8 / Impact : 5.9

Attack Vector LOCAL

Attack Complexity LOW

Privileges Required LOW

User Interaction NONE

Confidentiality Impact HIGH

Integrity Impact HIGH

Availability Impact HIGH

Scope UNCHANGED

References

Link	Resource
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-41091	Vendor Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-41091	Third Party Advisory US Government Resource

Configurations

Configuration 1 (hide)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:malware_protection_engine:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

History

No history.

Information

Published : 2026-05-20 13:16

Updated : 2026-07-24 10:10

NVD link : CVE-2026-41091

Mitre link : CVE-2026-41091

CVE.ORG link : CVE-2026-41091

JSON object : View

Products Affected

microsoft

malware_protection_engine

CWE

CWE-59

Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

{"id": "CVE-2026-41091", "cveTags": [], "metrics": {"ssvcV203": [{"source": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0", "ssvcData": {"id": "CVE-2026-41091", "role": "CISA Coordinator", "options": [{"exploitation": "active"}, {"automatable": "no"}, {"technicalImpact": "total"}], "version": "2.0.3", "timestamp": "2026-05-20T00:00:00+00:00"}}], "cvssMetricV31": [{"type": "Secondary", "source": "secure@microsoft.com", "cvssData": {"scope": "UNCHANGED", "version": "3.1", "baseScore": 7.8, "attackVector": "LOCAL", "baseSeverity": "HIGH", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "userInteraction": "NONE", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH"}, "impactScore": 5.9, "exploitabilityScore": 1.8}]}, "affected": [{"source": "secure@microsoft.com", "affectedData": [{"vendor": "Microsoft", "product": "Microsoft Malware Protection Engine", "versions": [{"status": "affected", "version": "1.1.0.0", "lessThan": "1.1.26040.8", "versionType": "custom"}]}]}], "published": "2026-05-20T13:16:29.173", "references": [{"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-41091", "tags": ["Vendor Advisory"], "source": "secure@microsoft.com"}, {"url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-41091", "tags": ["Third Party Advisory", "US Government Resource"], "source": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0"}], "vulnStatus": "Analyzed", "weaknesses": [{"type": "Secondary", "source": "secure@microsoft.com", "description": [{"lang": "en", "value": "CWE-59"}]}], "descriptions": [{"lang": "en", "value": "Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Microsoft Defender allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally."}, {"lang": "es", "value": "Resoluci\u00f3n de enlaces incorrecta antes del acceso a archivos ('seguimiento de enlaces') en Microsoft Defender permite a un atacante autorizado elevar privilegios localmente."}], "lastModified": "2026-07-24T10:10:00.197", "cisaActionDue": "2026-06-03", "cisaExploitAdd": "2026-05-20", "configurations": [{"nodes": [{"negate": false, "cpeMatch": [{"criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:malware_protection_engine:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*", "vulnerable": true, "matchCriteriaId": "AD1882FA-1447-46F7-A592-142F55820A60", "versionEndExcluding": "1.1.26040.8", "versionStartIncluding": "1.1.26030.3008"}], "operator": "OR"}]}], "sourceIdentifier": "secure@microsoft.com", "cisaRequiredAction": "Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.", "cisaVulnerabilityName": "Microsoft Defender Link Following Vulnerability"}