CVE Feed

    Dashboard / CVE / CVE-2026-41091

    CVE-2026-41091

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

    Published:May 20, 2026
    Last Modified:May 20, 2026
    EPS:May 20, 2026
    EPSS Score:
    CVSS Score:7.8

    CISA Notification

    Description

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

    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.

    Notes:

    No extra notes provided.

    Due Date
    Jun 3, 2026
    100 days ago
    Alert Date
    May 20, 2026
    114 days ago

    Affected Products

    Vendor
    Microsoft
    Product
    Malware Protection Engine

    Exploits

    https://github.com/0xBlackash/CVE-2026-41091https://github.com/ridhinva/defender-privilege-escalation-scannerhttps://github.com/s4m98/RedSun-https://github.com/tc4dy/CVE-2026-41091-PoC-Exploit

    Related CVEs

    CVE-2026-69414 (CVSS 7.8) — Microsoft is aware of an elevation of privilege in the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine in Microsoft Defend…
    CVE-2026-55012 (CVSS 7.8) — Integer overflow or wraparound in Microsoft Defender allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.…
    CVE-2026-55011 (CVSS 7.8) — Integer underflow (wrap or wraparound) in Microsoft Defender allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code l…
    CVE-2026-50656 (CVSS 7.8) — Microsoft is aware of an elevation of privilege in the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine in Microsoft Defend…
    CVE-2026-45584 (CVSS 8.1) — Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Defender allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a networ…
    CVE-2023-33156 (CVSS 6.3) — Microsoft Defender Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability…
    CVE-2023-24860 (CVSS 7.5) — Microsoft Defender Denial of Service Vulnerability…
    CVE-2023-23389 (CVSS 6.3) — Microsoft Defender Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability…
    CVE-2022-37971 (CVSS 7.1) — Microsoft Windows Defender Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability…
    CVE-2022-24548 (CVSS 5.5) — Microsoft Defender Denial of Service Vulnerability…

    Common Vulnerability Scoring System

    Attack Vector
    Network
    Adjacent
    Local
    Physical
    Privileges Required
    None
    Low
    High
    User Interaction
    None
    Required
    Scope
    Unchanged
    Changed
    Confidentiality
    None
    Low
    High
    Integrity
    None
    Low
    High
    Availability
    None
    Low
    High