CVE Tools
Home/Vulnerability/CVE-2026-41091

CVE-2026-41091

Microsoft Defender Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Published: May 20, 2026Updated: May 20, 2026 Sources: CVE List NVD
NVD MITRE
7.8CVSS
HIGH

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

EPSS Score
N/A
CISA KEV
Active Exploitation
Since May 20, 2026
Exploits
No Known Exploits
Remediation
Patch Available

CVSS Vector Breakdown

AV:LAC:LPR:LUI:NS:UC:HI:HA:H
Exploitability
AV:LAttack Vector
Local
AC:LAttack Complexity
Low
PR:LPrivileges Required
Low
UI:NUser Interaction
None
Scope
S:UScope
Unchanged
Impact
C:HConfidentiality
High
I:HIntegrity
High
A:HAvailability
High

Weaknesses

CWE-59

Affected Products

Microsoft Malware Protection Engine
Microsoft
malware protection engine
microsoft

Attack Graph

Products CVE Techniques Tactics

Click technique nodes to view MITRE ATT&CK details. Scroll to zoom, drag to pan.

Exploitability

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability
Added to KEV:May 20, 2026
Remediation due:Jun 3, 2026

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.

Official Patch Available

MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques
Collection
Discovery
View detailed technique mapping

References

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-41091
msrc.microsoft.com
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-41091
cisa.gov

Timeline

Added to CISA KEV
May 20, 2026
Published
May 20, 2026
Last Updated
May 20, 2026

Unlock Complete Vulnerability Intelligence

Get the full picture for CVE-2026-41091 and every CVE in our database. Create a free account — no credit card required.

Create Free Account
AI-powered analysis
Plain-language impact assessment and exploitation scenario
Attack graph visualization
Interactive attack path and kill chain mapping
Exploit details & PoC links
ExploitDB, Metasploit, GitHub PoCs with direct links
Nuclei scanner templates
Ready-to-use vulnerability scanner templates
Full remediation guide
Patch instructions, workarounds, and compliance impact
Interactive AI chat
Ask questions about this vulnerability in natural language
Related vulnerabilities
Semantically similar CVEs and attack patterns
REST API & MCP access
Integrate vulnerability data into your workflows