FKIE_CVE-2026-41091

Vulnerability from fkie_nvd - Published: 2026-05-20 13:16 - Updated: 2026-05-20 19:06
Severity ?
7.8 (High) - CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Summary
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Microsoft Defender allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
References
secure@microsoft.comhttps://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-41091Vendor Advisory
134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-41091US Government Resource, Third Party Advisory
Impacted products
Vendor Product Version
microsoft malware_protection_engine *
To clipboard 

{
  "cisaActionDue": "2026-06-03",
  "cisaExploitAdd": "2026-05-20",
  "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",
  "configurations": [
    {
      "nodes": [
        {
          "cpeMatch": [
            {
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:malware_protection_engine:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "matchCriteriaId": "AD1882FA-1447-46F7-A592-142F55820A60",
              "versionEndExcluding": "1.1.26040.8",
              "versionStartIncluding": "1.1.26030.3008",
              "vulnerable": true
            }
          ],
          "negate": false,
          "operator": "OR"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "cveTags": [],
  "descriptions": [
    {
      "lang": "en",
      "value": "Improper link resolution before file access (\u0027link following\u0027) in Microsoft Defender allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally."
    }
  ],
  "id": "CVE-2026-41091",
  "lastModified": "2026-05-20T19:06:36.850",
  "metrics": {
    "cvssMetricV31": [
      {
        "cvssData": {
          "attackComplexity": "LOW",
          "attackVector": "LOCAL",
          "availabilityImpact": "HIGH",
          "baseScore": 7.8,
          "baseSeverity": "HIGH",
          "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH",
          "integrityImpact": "HIGH",
          "privilegesRequired": "LOW",
          "scope": "UNCHANGED",
          "userInteraction": "NONE",
          "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
          "version": "3.1"
        },
        "exploitabilityScore": 1.8,
        "impactScore": 5.9,
        "source": "secure@microsoft.com",
        "type": "Secondary"
      }
    ]
  },
  "published": "2026-05-20T13:16:29.173",
  "references": [
    {
      "source": "secure@microsoft.com",
      "tags": [
        "Vendor Advisory"
      ],
      "url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-41091"
    },
    {
      "source": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0",
      "tags": [
        "US Government Resource",
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ],
      "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-41091"
    }
  ],
  "sourceIdentifier": "secure@microsoft.com",
  "vulnStatus": "Analyzed",
  "weaknesses": [
    {
      "description": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "value": "CWE-59"
        }
      ],
      "source": "secure@microsoft.com",
      "type": "Secondary"
    }
  ]
}


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Forecast uses a logistic model when the trend is rising, or an exponential decay model when the trend is falling. Fitted via linearized least squares.

Sightings

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Nomenclature

  • Seen: The vulnerability was mentioned, discussed, or observed by the user.
  • Confirmed: The vulnerability has been validated from an analyst's perspective.
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  • Patched: The vulnerability was observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
  • Not exploited: The vulnerability was not observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
  • Not confirmed: The user expressed doubt about the validity of the vulnerability.
  • Not patched: The vulnerability was not observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.



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