MSRXVulnerabilities / CVE-2026-41091
CVE-2026-41091
Published 2026-05-20 · Analyzed
CVE-2026-41091
Microsoft Defender Link Following Vulnerability
Exploited in the wild: CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-05-20, with a fix-by date of 2026-06-03. Patch it first.
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
7.8 HIGH
CVSS 3.1 · CNA · microsoft.com
CVSS 3.1 · CNA · microsoft.com
8.2%
chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS; higher than 94% of CVEs)
chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS; higher than 94% of CVEs)
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Microsoft Defender allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Scores
Affected products
- microsoft malware protection engine: ≥ 1.1.26030.3008, < 1.1.26040.8
Weakness: CWE-59
2 references (advisories, patches, write-ups)
- 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
Sources: NVD, CVE.org, FIRST EPSS. Missing ones did not answer or have no record yet.