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CVE-2026-41091

HIGH 7.8 KNOWN EXPLOITED

Published 2026-05-20 · Last modified 2026-06-19

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

ACTIVELY EXPLOITED

Confirmed exploited in the wild — in CISA KEV since 2026-05-20. Patch or mitigate now.

Exploitation likelihood

8.4%chance of exploitation in 30 days · 94th percentile

● In CISA KEV (2026-05-20) ○ Public exploit / PoC

Impact if exploited

7.8CVSS 3.1 · HIGH

  • ConfidentialityHigh
  • IntegrityHigh
  • AvailabilityHigh

What an attacker needs

  • ⚠Access: Requires local access to the host
  • ⚠Privileges: Requires a low-privilege account
  • ✓User interaction: No user interaction needed
  • ✓Complexity: No special conditions — reliably repeatable

✓ lowers the bar for an attacker · ⚠ raises it

Affected

Vendors Microsoft

Products Microsoft Malware Protection Engine

Weakness (CWE)

  • CWE-59

CVSS vector

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

References

Patches & mitigations

Advisories

Sources: NVD · CVE.org · EPSS