The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added four new vulnerabilities to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, indicating that these flaws are actively being exploited in the wild. The vulnerabilities include CVE-2026-75650 affecting Adobe Commerce and Magento, CVE-2026-81963 and CVE-2026-85880 impacting Microsoft Windows, and CVE-2026-86218 concerning N-able N-central. These vulnerabilities are particularly concerning for federal agencies, as they could allow attackers to gain total control over compromised systems. CISA's Binding Operational Directive 26-04 emphasizes the need for federal agencies to promptly address high-risk vulnerabilities, and while it specifically applies to federal entities, CISA encourages all organizations to adopt similar practices for managing and mitigating risks associated with these vulnerabilities.
Articles tagged "Windows"
Found 116 articles
The Hacker News
Researchers at Elastic Security Labs have identified four previously unknown programs connected to REVSTEALER, a Windows information-stealing malware. These programs persist on infected systems even after REVSTEALER removes itself. Notably, one of the modules disables Windows Update and Microsoft Defender, allowing a cryptocurrency miner to operate without interference. This poses a significant risk to users, as it not only compromises their data but also hijacks system resources for mining operations. Users and organizations need to be aware of these threats to protect their systems from potential exploitation.
Help Net Security
Google has released a patch for several vulnerabilities in its Chrome browser, including a serious zero-day flaw identified as CVE-2026-85046, which is currently being exploited by attackers. The company confirmed that exploits for this vulnerability are circulating in the wild, prompting the urgent update. Users on Windows, macOS, and Linux should ensure they are running the latest version, which includes Chrome 152.0.7977.82/.83 for Windows and macOS, and Chrome 152.0.7977.82 for Linux. Keeping browsers up to date is crucial to mitigate risks from such vulnerabilities, which could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access or execute malicious code. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of regular software updates to protect against emerging threats.
BleepingComputer
Microsoft is addressing a significant issue affecting users of Microsoft Teams and New Outlook on ARM-based Windows PCs. After the updates released since August 2026 Patch Tuesday, many users have reported that the applications are crashing or failing to launch altogether. This problem is particularly concerning for professionals who rely on these tools for communication and productivity. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and is currently working on a fix, but until then, affected users may experience disruptions in their daily workflows. It's crucial for users to stay updated on the situation and apply any forthcoming patches as soon as they are available.
Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk Activation Manager, specifically versions V5.02 and earlier, has a serious privilege escalation vulnerability (CVE-2026-16675). This flaw allows authenticated attackers with Windows credentials to gain SYSTEM-level access by hijacking console windows that appear during installation or repair processes. This could potentially give attackers full control over files and system resources. Users are urged to update to version V5.03 to mitigate this risk. For those unable to upgrade, implementing Rockwell Automation's security best practices is recommended to reduce exposure. The vulnerability affects critical manufacturing sectors globally, emphasizing the need for organizations to prioritize cybersecurity in their operational technology environments.
Microsoft has acknowledged a problem with the KB5120998 update for Windows 11, released in August 2026. Users have reported that their mouse settings revert back to default after installing this non-security preview update. This issue affects a wide range of Windows 11 devices, potentially disrupting user experience as people may have customized their settings for better functionality. Microsoft has not provided a specific timeline for a fix, which means users will need to manually adjust their settings after each update until a solution is implemented. This situation highlights the importance of user feedback in identifying software issues that may not be critical but still impact usability.
Vercel has issued security patches for two serious vulnerabilities in the Next.js framework that could allow attackers to execute code remotely without authentication. The first vulnerability arises from the handling of AVIF image files, which can be manipulated to exploit the system. The second flaw is a path traversal issue that affects installations on Windows filesystems, enabling unauthorized access to files. These vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because they can be exploited without any user interaction, putting many applications at risk if they use Next.js. Developers using this framework should prioritize updating to the latest version to mitigate these risks.
A new Windows backdoor known as SLEEPWALKER has been discovered by an independent malware researcher. This backdoor remains inactive until it receives a specifically crafted network packet, at which point it executes commands written in a unique 23-instruction language. The malicious software is an unsigned 64-bit dynamic-link library (DLL) totaling nearly 60,000 bytes, designed for side-loading. This means that it could potentially be used to infiltrate systems quietly and execute commands without detection. The implications are serious, as it poses a risk to Windows users who may unknowingly execute this backdoor, allowing attackers to take control of affected machines.
Windows named pipes, a method for fast communication between processes, have been identified as a potential security risk due to weak access controls. This vulnerability allows untrusted processes to potentially access privileged services, posing a threat to system integrity. Security experts from ThreatLocker recommend several strategies to mitigate these risks, including endpoint verification, command authorization, strict input validation, and limiting privileges to what is necessary. These measures can help secure named-pipe communications and protect against unauthorized access. Organizations using Windows systems should take these recommendations seriously to safeguard their environments from potential exploitation.
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a warning about a serious remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability in the Windows Internet Key Exchange (IKE) Service Extensions. This flaw is currently being exploited by attackers, which raises significant concerns for organizations using affected systems. The vulnerability could allow hackers to execute arbitrary code on compromised devices, potentially leading to data breaches or system control. Windows users and administrators are urged to take immediate action to protect their systems. This situation highlights the ongoing risks associated with software vulnerabilities and the importance of timely updates and security measures.
Security Affairs
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added several vulnerabilities to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, specifically targeting flaws in Apple macOS, Microsoft SharePoint, Broadcom VMware vCenter, and Microsoft IKE. One notable vulnerability, CVE-2026-33824, relates to the Windows Internet Key Exchange (IKE) Service Extensions and poses a risk of remote code execution. These vulnerabilities could allow attackers to exploit systems running the affected software, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data breaches. It's crucial for users and organizations utilizing these platforms to take immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with these vulnerabilities. Keeping software updated and applying any available patches is essential to protect against potential exploitation.
Mustang Panda, also known as HoneyMyte, has enhanced its CoolClient backdoor by deploying a signed kernel-mode driver that can conceal processes, files, and network activity. This upgrade makes it significantly harder for security software to detect and remove the malware from infected Windows systems. Kaspersky's recent analysis indicates that this new variant of CoolClient deepens the malware's integration into the operating system, raising concerns for users and organizations relying on Windows. The implications are serious, as this could allow attackers to maintain prolonged access to compromised systems while evading detection. Users and organizations need to remain vigilant and implement security measures to protect against this evolving threat.
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The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added three new vulnerabilities to its catalog of exploited vulnerabilities. These include a heap inspection flaw in Cisco Secure Firewall (CVE-2026-20349), a use-after-free vulnerability in the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock (CVE-2026-68820), and a critical SQL injection vulnerability in Metabase (CVE-2026-72898). These flaws could allow attackers to exploit systems running affected software, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data breaches. Organizations using these products need to take immediate action to protect their systems. Awareness and prompt updates are essential to mitigate the risks associated with these vulnerabilities.
Wireshark has released version 4.6.8 to address 28 security vulnerabilities, with nine of these affecting file parsers that process saved capture files. These vulnerabilities could be exploited simply by opening a maliciously crafted capture file, which means an attacker does not need direct access to the network. The affected file parsers include formats like pcapng, Endace ERF, and several others, specifically on Windows systems. This update is critical for users of Wireshark, as it helps prevent potential exploitation that could compromise sensitive data or system integrity. Users are urged to update to the latest version to mitigate these risks.
Help Net Security
In August 2026, Microsoft released patches addressing over 400 vulnerabilities, including a serious zero-day exploit identified as CVE-2026-68820. This particular flaw is a use-after-free vulnerability affecting the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock (AFD.sys), which could allow a low-privileged local attacker to gain elevated privileges to the SYSTEM level. This means that attackers with local access could potentially execute malicious applications to take control of affected systems. The urgency of this update is underscored by the fact that the vulnerability is already being exploited in the wild. Users and organizations relying on Windows systems should prioritize applying these updates to mitigate potential risks.