Microsoft Security Update Guide · Defender
Microsoft Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Published
What does this mean?
- Elevation of Privilege. An attacker can gain more rights than they should have, for example admin rights.
- It can be exploited with access to the device itself, with an ordinary user account and without any user action.
- CVSS 7.8 out of 10: high. Microsoft rates it Important.
- No attacks reported; Microsoft expects exploitation to be less likely.
- What should you do? Install the security update for the version you run (or a later cumulative update):
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for Linux
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Show NCSC advisory (1)
NCSC-2026-0425 · v1.00Likelihood M · Impact H
Kwetsbaarheden verholpen in Microsoft System CenterMicrosoft heeft kwetsbaarheden verholpen in de Configuration Manager en Defender. Een lokale kwaadwillende kan de kwetsbaarheden misbruiken om zich verhoogde rechten toe te kennen en mogelijk toegang te krijgen tot gevoelige gegevens.
What kind of flaw is this?
- CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
The software follows a shortcut or link to a file it should not use.
Key facts
Released
13 okt 2026
Impact
Elevation of Privilege
Max severity
Important
Weakness
CVSS 3.1
7.8 / 6.8 (base / temporal)
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:CPublicly disclosed
No
Exploited
No
Exploitability assessment
Exploitation Less Likely
Customer action required
Yes
Links
CVSS metrics
| Base score metrics | |
|---|---|
| Attack Vector | Local |
| Attack Complexity | Low |
| Privileges Required | Low |
| User Interaction | None |
| Scope | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High |
| Integrity | High |
| Availability | High |
| Temporal score metrics | |
| Exploit Code Maturity | Unproven |
| Remediation Level | Official Fix |
| Report Confidence | Confirmed |
Affected products and updates
| Product | Update | Build |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for Linux | — | — |
FAQ
- What privileges could be gained by an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability?
- An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain SYSTEM privileges.
Revisions
| Version | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 okt 2026 | Information published. |
This is in the weekly digest for week 42: everything that changed in Microsoft 365 this week. →
View at Microsoft → ← All security advisories
Source: Microsoft Security Update Guide. 365Fanatic is not affiliated with Microsoft.
