CVE DATABASE / CVE-2026-41091
CVE-2026-41091
Microsoft Defender Link Following Vulnerability
CVSS 7.8 · HIGH
⚠ CISA KEV — ACTIVELY EXPLOITED
On the CISA KEV catalog
Confirmed exploited in the wild. Added 2026-05-20.
Federal remediation due 2026-06-03.
Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Summary
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Microsoft Defender allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
CVSS 3.1 breakdown
| Base score | 7.8 (HIGH) |
| Vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| Attack vector | LOCAL |
| Attack complexity | LOW |
| Privileges required | LOW |
| User interaction | NONE |
| Scope | UNCHANGED |
| Confidentiality | HIGH |
| Integrity | HIGH |
| Availability | HIGH |
Weakness type (CWE)
Affected products
Microsoft malware protection engine
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References
- https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-41091
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-41091
Data: NIST NVD + CISA KEV. NVD last modified 2026-05-20. Always verify against the vendor advisory before acting.