Actively exploited · Published Jul 14, 2026 · Assigned by microsoft
CVE-2026-55040Microsoft SharePoint Server Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability
Critical 9.1 Exploited
In plain English
A critical-severity security flaw in Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016 from Microsoft. Attackers are actively exploiting it in the wild (listed by CISA on August 18, 2026). The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 69.5% (higher than 99.4% of all known vulnerabilities). Ready-made attack tooling exists: Nuclei, public proof-of-concept code. Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
CISA guidance
Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
Federal agencies must remediate by Aug 21, 2026.
Official description
Weak authentication in Microsoft Office SharePoint allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature over a network.
Affected products (as reported)
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016 | 16.0.0 – before 16.0.5561.1001 |
| Microsoft | Microsoft SharePoint Server 2019 | 16.0.0 – before 16.0.10417.20175 |
| Microsoft | Microsoft SharePoint Server Subscription Edition | 16.0.0 – before 16.0.19725.20434 |
Weakness: CWE-1390 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
References
- Microsoft SharePoint Server Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability vendor-advisory, patch
- https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/ra-microsoft-sharepoint-jwt-token-authentication-bypass-cve-2026-55040/ technical-description
- https://github.com/sfewer-r7/CVE-2026-55040 exploit
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-55040 government-resource