CVE-2026-56178
An attacker can exploit multiple vulnerabilities in Microsoft Malware Protection Engine and Microsoft Defender to execute arbitrary code, gain elevated permissions, or disclose sensitive information.
CSIRTS triage
- What
- Multiple vulnerabilities can be exploited to execute arbitrary code and disclose sensitive information.
- Who is affected
- Users of Microsoft Malware Protection Engine and Microsoft Defender are affected.
- Urgency
- Remediation is medium priority due to the potential for exploitation.
- Action
- Update Microsoft Malware Protection Engine and Defender to the latest versions.
AI-assisted analysis generated from the source advisory — verify against the original.
⚡ Watch CVE-2026-56178
Get an email if CVE-2026-56178 is added to CISA KEV, gains public exploit code, or a new advisory cites it — max one per day, one-click unsubscribe.
Exploitation outlook
- Low exploitation risk0.17% 30-day exploitation probability — currently an unlikely target, but scores change as exploit code circulates. Riskier than 6% of all EPSS-scored CVEs.
Advisory coverage (5)
- medium[NEW] [medium] Microsoft Malware Protection Engine and Defender: Multiple vulnerabilitiescert-bund · 2026-07-15
- unknownMultiple vulnerabilities in Microsoft products (July 15, 2026)cert-fr-avis · 2026-07-15
- unknownNCSC-2026-0236 [1.00] [M/H] Vulnerabilities fixed in Microsoft Defenderncsc-nl · 2026-07-14
- mediumCVE-2026-56178: Time-of-check time-of-use (toctou) race condition in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint allows an…nvd · 2026-07-14
- mediumCVE-2026-56178: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for Mac Elevation of Privilege Vulnerabilitymsrc · 2026-07-14
External references
Embed the live status
— this badge updates automatically when the KEV or exploit status changes. How to embed it →
[](https://www.csirts.com/cve/CVE-2026-56178)