No. CVE-2026-41091
A Microsoft Defender bug is being used in attacks
Being used now
Yes. Attackers are using this right now.
What to do
Apply the vendor's update. If there is none, stop using it or cut it off from the internet.
- Confirmed in attacks
- May 20, 2026
- Product
- Microsoft Defender
- Attack likelihood, next 30 days
- 8.2%
Attack likelihood is EPSS, a daily estimate from FIRST.org of how likely this bug is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days.
The official description
Microsoft Defender contains a link following vulnerability that allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
For your tech helper
A read-only checklist for whoever helps you with your computer, or an AI assistant. Paste it into Claude, ChatGPT or a coding agent; it only looks and changes nothing.
Read-only check, change nothing, send nothing anywhere.
Is Microsoft Defender (CVE-2026-41091) installed or running on this machine or in this project?
1. Find every copy and its version (apps, packages, containers, lockfiles).
2. Compare each version against the vendor's fixed version for CVE-2026-41091. Quote the vendor page you used.
3. Report a table: where, version, fixed version, status (exposed / fixed / not installed / unsure).
4. List the exact update steps, but do not run them.