Description
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Microsoft Defender allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Published: 2026-05-20
Score: 7.8 High
EPSS: 8.4% Low
KEV: Yes
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Analysis and contextual insights are available on OpenCVE Cloud.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

Additional remediation guidance may be available on OpenCVE Cloud.

Tracking

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Advisories

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History

Wed, 20 May 2026 18:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
References
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'active', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Wed, 20 May 2026 17:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics kev

{'dateAdded': '2026-05-20T00:00:00+00:00', 'dueDate': '2026-06-03T00:00:00+00:00'}


Wed, 20 May 2026 13:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Microsoft Defender allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Title Microsoft Defender Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
First Time appeared Microsoft
Microsoft malware Protection Engine
Weaknesses CWE-59
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:malware_protection_engine:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Microsoft
Microsoft malware Protection Engine
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, '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'}


Subscriptions

Microsoft Malware Protection Engine
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: microsoft

Published:

Updated: 2026-06-19T16:13:11.923Z

Reserved: 2026-04-16T19:12:36.195Z

Link: CVE-2026-41091

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-05-20T17:13:03.067Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-05-20T13:16:29.173

Modified: 2026-06-17T10:46:09.427

Link: CVE-2026-41091

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-06-24T13:30:06Z

Weaknesses