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Microsoft · Defender

CVE-2026-41091

Microsoft Defender Link Following Vulnerability

CISA KEV record

CISA date added
2026-05-20
CISA due date
2026-06-03
Known ransomware use
Unknown

NVD risk context

7.8 HIGH

CVSS is a technical severity score. CISA’s KEV status remains the evidence that this vulnerability is known to be exploited.

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Attack vector
Local
An attacker needs local access to the affected system.
Attack complexity
Low
Exploitation does not require unusual conditions beyond normal attacker control.
Privileges required
Low
The attacker needs limited privileges before exploiting the issue.
User interaction
None
No action by another user is required.

Description

Microsoft Defender contains a link following vulnerability that 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.

NVD reference index

Vendor and remediation references

NVD has tagged these sources as vendor advisories, patches, mitigations, or release notes.

Other NVD references (1)

MITRE CWE context

CWE classification

CWE-59 Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.

View official MITRE CWE details ↗

NVD record timing

NVD record timeline

These dates describe NVD’s record, not CISA’s KEV addition or remediation due date.

NVD published
May 20, 2026, 01:16 PM UTC
When NVD first published this CVE record.
NVD last updated
Jul 24, 2026, 10:10 AM UTC
When NVD last changed its analysis or record data.
Advanced: view the technical CVSS vector

This standardized code is intended for security tools and technical analysts. The plain-language risk summary above explains its main points.

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

View NVD record ↗

CISA notes

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2026-41091 ; https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-41091