CVE-2026-41091: CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') in Microsoft Microsoft Malware Protection Engine
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Microsoft Defender allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability (CVE-2026-41091) in Microsoft Malware Protection Engine is classified under CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access). It allows an authorized local attacker to escalate privileges by exploiting improper handling of symbolic links or similar link types before accessing files. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating high severity with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Microsoft has published an official fix for this vulnerability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation enables an authorized local attacker to elevate their privileges, potentially gaining higher-level access than intended. This can lead to full compromise of the affected system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official fix is available from Microsoft. Users should apply the security update provided in the Microsoft advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-41091 to remediate this vulnerability.
CVE-2026-41091: CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') in Microsoft Microsoft Malware Protection Engine
Description
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Microsoft Defender allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.8high
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability (CVE-2026-41091) in Microsoft Malware Protection Engine is classified under CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access). It allows an authorized local attacker to escalate privileges by exploiting improper handling of symbolic links or similar link types before accessing files. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating high severity with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Microsoft has published an official fix for this vulnerability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation enables an authorized local attacker to elevate their privileges, potentially gaining higher-level access than intended. This can lead to full compromise of the affected system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official fix is available from Microsoft. Users should apply the security update provided in the Microsoft advisory at https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-41091 to remediate this vulnerability.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- microsoft
- Date Reserved
- 2026-04-16T19:12:36.195Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- official-fix
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-41091","vendor":"Microsoft"}]
Threat ID: 6a0db4daba1db473627ecd36
Added to database: 05/20/2026, 13:19:22 UTC
Last enriched: 06/19/2026, 17:41:26 UTC
Last updated: 07/31/2026, 19:22:58 UTC
Views: 114
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