Vulnerability details
CVE-2026-41091
Actively exploited
Microsoft Malware Protection Engine
Microsoft Defender Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
CVSS 3.1
7.8High
Official description
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Microsoft Defender allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
CVSS scores
| Score | Version | Source | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.8High | 3.1 | CVEProject cvelistV5 (CNA) (microsoft) | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C |
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Microsoft Malware Protection Engine | 1.1.0.0 ≤ v < 1.1.26040.8 | CVEProject cvelistV5 (CNA) |
References and advisories
2- https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-41091 vendor-advisorypatch
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-41091 government-resource
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Details
- Published
- 2026-05-20
- Last updated
- 2026-08-10
- State
- Published
- Assigner (CNA)
- microsoft
- Kolun priority
- 85 · Critical
CISA KEV catalog
- Date added
- 2026-05-20
- Due date
- 2026-06-03
- Used in ransomware
- Unknown
Exploit prediction (EPSS)
8.2%
Probability of exploitation in 30 days
94.8%
Percentile (among all CVEs)
SSVC assessment (CISA)
- Automatable
- No
- Exploitation
- Active
- Technical impact
- Total
Weaknesses (CWE)
- CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')