# Malware Protection Engine vulnerabilities > Malware Protection Engine is made by Microsoft. We track 25 published vulnerabilities in it, across 52 versions. 2 of them are on the list of flaws known to be exploited, the newest added on 20 May 2026. If you run Malware Protection Engine, check your version against the exploited flaws below and patch those first. Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/microsoft/malware_protection_engine ## At a glance - **Made by:** [Microsoft](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/microsoft) - **Published vulnerabilities:** 25 - **Known to be exploited:** 2 - **Versions tracked:** 52 - **Most recently added to the known-exploited list:** [CVE-2026-41091](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2026-41091), 20 May 2026. We keep watching the list. ## Which versions of Malware Protection Engine do the exploited flaws hit? Each exploited flaw lists the versions it affects, as published. "1.1.26030.3008 to before 1.1.26040.8" means from 1.1.26030.3008 up to, but not including, 1.1.26040.8. - [CVE-2026-41091](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2026-41091) (Microsoft Defender Link Following Vulnerability): 1.1.26030.3008 to before 1.1.26040.8 - [CVE-2017-8540](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2017-8540) (Microsoft Malware Protection Engine Improper Restriction of Operations Vulnerability): 1.1.13701.0 to before 1.1.13704.0 ## Which Malware Protection Engine vulnerabilities are being exploited? 2 flaws are on the government list of vulnerabilities known to be exploited, newest first: - [CVE-2026-41091](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2026-41091): Microsoft Defender Link Following Vulnerability. High, CVSS 7.8, chance of use in 30 days 0.4%, known exploited since 20 May 2026. - [CVE-2017-8540](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2017-8540): Microsoft Malware Protection Engine Improper Restriction of Operations Vulnerability. High, CVSS 7.8, chance of use in 30 days 72%, known exploited since 3 March 2022. ## Which Malware Protection Engine flaws are most likely to be used? Ranked by the latest exploit-likelihood forecast (the chance each flaw is used in an attack in the next 30 days): - [CVE-2017-0290](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2017-0290): 81%, High (CVSS 7.8) - [CVE-2006-5270](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2006-5270): 30%, Critical (CVSS 9.3) - [CVE-2017-11937](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2017-11937): 28%, High (CVSS 7.8) - [CVE-2017-11940](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2017-11940): 20%, High (CVSS 7.8) - [CVE-2014-2779](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2014-2779): 13%, Medium (CVSS 4.3) - [CVE-2008-1438](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2008-1438): 13%, Medium (CVSS 5.0) - [CVE-2008-1437](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2008-1437): 13%, Medium (CVSS 5.0) ## Questions ### How many vulnerabilities does Malware Protection Engine have? We track 25 published vulnerabilities listed under the name Malware Protection Engine, across 52 versions. The most recent Malware Protection Engine flaw added to the known-exploited list is CVE-2026-41091, on 20 May 2026. ### Which Malware Protection Engine vulnerabilities are being exploited? 2 are on the list of flaws known to be exploited. The most recently added are CVE-2026-41091 and CVE-2017-8540. ### Which versions of Malware Protection Engine do the exploited flaws affect? Each flaw names its own versions, usually as ranges. The newest, CVE-2026-41091, affects 1.1.26030.3008 to before 1.1.26040.8. The versions for every exploited flaw are listed on this page. ### How do I get alerts for Malware Protection Engine? Create a Precursor Intelligence account and track Malware Protection Engine. We match it against every published flaw, give each one a risk score from 0 to 100 and keep watching, so you hear about new ones as soon as we know, by email, in the app or by webhook. ## Running Malware Protection Engine? Precursor Intelligence keeps checking for you: - **Tell us what you run.** Pick your software from a list, or let us work it out from your website. - **We match it to every flaw.** Over 400,000 published flaws, checked against your list. - **Ranked by real-world risk.** Every flaw gets a 0 to 100 risk score, kept up to date, led by evidence criminals are using it. - **Told as soon as we know.** An alert by email, in the app or by webhook to your own tools. Start free (no card, nothing to install): https://www.precursorintelligence.com/register Book a demo: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/contact