micropatches Archives

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Still on Windows 10? 0patch may be your best defense in the ‘End of Support era’

In early 2023, Microsoft announced that official support for Windows 10 would end in 2025, with regular updates and security patches ceasing on October 14, 2025. Users have a little over two years to transition to Windows 11 or other operating systems. Some users have enrolled in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which will also end in October 2026. A third-party service called 0patch offers ongoing protection for Windows 10 by providing micropatches for vulnerabilities. 0patch releases two to three micropatches each month, prioritizing vulnerabilities that are publicly known, actively exploited, and lack an official Microsoft fix. 0patch has a free version that provides critical zero-day patches and a paid Pro plan that includes legacy patches. The Pro plan costs €25 per year, while an Enterprise plan is available for €35 annually. 0patch plans to support Windows 10 until at least October 2030, depending on user demand. Users have reported some performance issues with 0patch, but the updates are lightweight and do not significantly affect system performance.

Winsage

January 3, 2026

5 Free Tools To Keep Your Windows 10 PC Secure Without Further Microsoft Support

Millions of users are unable to transition to Windows 11 due to stringent hardware requirements, leaving many Windows 10 PCs vulnerable to malware threats. Microsoft has introduced Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 Home users, available for a year at a cost. Users can enhance their Windows 10 security with various tools: - 0patch: Micropatches vulnerabilities without requiring a restart, supported until 2030. The free version addresses zero-day vulnerabilities, while the pro version offers more comprehensive protection. - TinyWall: Simplifies firewall management using the Windows Filtering Platform, allowing users to control app connections without constant pop-ups. - Patch My PC Home Updater: Automates the updating of outdated applications to enhance security. - Sandboxie Plus: Allows users to run applications in an isolated environment to prevent changes from affecting the system. - Panda Dome Free: A free antivirus solution providing real-time protection against malware, with features like USB Protection and Process Monitor.

Winsage

December 12, 2025

New Windows RasMan zero-day flaw gets free, unofficial patches

Free unofficial patches are available for a newly identified Windows zero-day vulnerability that allows attackers to crash the Remote Access Connection Manager (RasMan) service, which operates with SYSTEM-level privileges and manages VPN and remote network connections. This denial-of-service flaw was discovered by ACROS Security while investigating a previously patched privilege escalation vulnerability (CVE-2025-59230) in RasMan. The new zero-day has not yet received a CVE ID and affects all Windows versions from Windows 7 to Windows 11, including Windows Server 2008 R2 through Server 2025. The vulnerability can be exploited by unprivileged users due to a coding error in how RasMan processes circular linked lists, leading to a crash when a null pointer is encountered. ACROS Security is providing free micropatches through its 0Patch service until Microsoft releases an official fix. Users must create an account and install the 0Patch agent to apply the micropatch automatically.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

New Windows 0-Day Vulnerability Let Remote Attackers Steal NTLM Credentials

A critical vulnerability affecting various Windows operating systems, including Windows 7, Server 2008 R2, Windows 11 v24H2, and Server 2025, allows attackers to capture NTLM authentication credentials through interactions with malicious files in Windows Explorer. Exploitation can occur when users open shared folders, insert USB drives with malicious files, or view downloaded files. The vulnerability is similar to a previously patched flaw (CVE-2025-21377) but has not been fully documented. Security researchers have developed micropatches available for free until Microsoft releases a permanent fix. These micropatches support a wide range of Windows versions, including legacy and currently supported systems. The micropatches have been automatically distributed to affected systems with the 0patch Agent installed.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

New Windows 0-Day Vulnerability Let Remote Attackers Steal NTLM Credentials

A critical vulnerability affects all Windows operating systems from Windows 7 to Windows 11 v24H2 and Server 2025, allowing attackers to capture NTLM authentication credentials through malicious files viewed in Windows Explorer. Exploitation can occur when users open shared folders, insert USB drives with malicious files, or view previously downloaded files. The vulnerability is similar to a previously patched flaw (CVE-2025-21377) but has not been publicly documented. Security researchers have developed micropatches through 0patch to temporarily mitigate the issue, which will be available at no cost until Microsoft releases a permanent solution. The micropatches support various Windows versions, including legacy and currently supported systems, and can be automatically deployed without requiring system reboots.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

Windows Passwords At Risk As New 0-Day Confirmed—Act Now

Windows users are facing multiple zero-day vulnerabilities affecting various operating system versions, including Windows 7, Server 2008 R2, and Windows 11 v24H2, with no official patch available from Microsoft. A new vulnerability allows attackers to obtain NTLM credentials by having a user view a malicious file in Windows Explorer. This vulnerability is distinct from a previously reported incident and remains undisclosed until Microsoft issues a patch. NTLM vulnerabilities can enable credential theft, and while not classified as critical, they have been exploited in real-world attacks. Users may need to wait for the next Patch Tuesday for an official fix, but can utilize a micro-patch solution from ACROS Security's 0patch to address the vulnerability temporarily.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

0patch releases yet another free fix for yet another 0day vulnerability in Windows that Microsoft has not addressed

0patch has released micropatches for a critical SCF File NTLM hash disclosure vulnerability affecting all Windows versions from Windows 7 to Windows 11 and Windows Server editions from 2008 to 2025. This vulnerability allows attackers to obtain users' NTLM credentials by having them view a malicious file in Windows Explorer. 0patch operates on a subscription model and provides security fixes for unsupported Windows versions, as well as complimentary patches for unaddressed vulnerabilities. Specific details about the vulnerability are currently withheld, pending an official fix from Microsoft.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

New Windows Zero-Day Vulnerability Exposes NTLM Credentials – Unofficial Patch Now Available

A zero-day vulnerability has been identified in the Windows operating system, affecting versions from Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 to Windows 11 v24H2 and Server 2025. This vulnerability allows attackers to obtain NTLM credentials by tricking users into opening malicious files in Windows Explorer. Microsoft has been notified, and while there is no official CVE number yet, an unofficial patch is available through 0patch. The flaw is similar to previous vulnerabilities related to NTLM hash disclosures but has not been widely discussed. To exploit it, attackers need network access to the victim's system or a way to relay stolen credentials. 0patch has created micropatches for all affected Windows versions, which are available for free until Microsoft provides an official fix. This is the fourth zero-day vulnerability reported by 0patch recently, with previous vulnerabilities including those in Windows Theme files and the Mark of the Web issue on Server 2012. 0patch also offers patches for NTLM-related vulnerabilities that Microsoft has classified as “wont fix.” Users can create a free account with 0patch for automatic protection against these vulnerabilities. Micropatches are available for various Windows versions, including both legacy and currently supported systems, and will remain free until an official Microsoft fix is released.

Winsage

March 25, 2025

New Windows zero-day leaks NTLM hashes, gets unofficial patch

A newly discovered zero-day vulnerability in Windows allows remote attackers to steal NTLM credentials by tricking users into opening malicious files in Windows Explorer. This flaw affects various Windows versions, including Windows 7 through Windows 11 and Server 2008 R2 to Server 2025. The vulnerability, identified by ACROS Security researchers, has not been assigned a CVE-ID and enables attackers to obtain NTLM credentials through methods like accessing shared folders or USB drives. While the exploit's criticality is moderate and depends on specific conditions, it has been linked to actual attacks. ACROS Security has released free micropatches for all affected Windows versions via its 0Patch service until Microsoft provides an official fix. Users can install the micropatch easily by creating an account and activating the 0patch agent, which applies the patch automatically.

Winsage

February 20, 2025

Can’t quit Windows 10? You can pay Microsoft for updates after October, or try these alternatives

An ESU subscription allows customers to receive updates automatically through Windows Update, with updates also available for individual download via the Microsoft Update Catalog. Customers can set reminders to check for updates after their release, typically on the second Tuesday of each month. For a more streamlined approach, the third-party service 0patch offers critical security patches for Windows 10 for at least five years after the end-of-support date, costing between and per PC annually. 0patch provides "micropatches" for vulnerabilities discovered after October 14, 2025, which are small and applied to running processes without altering Microsoft's original files. Unauthorized alternatives, like PowerShell activation scripts from the Massgrave hacking collective, allow users to bypass Microsoft's licensing agreements for a free three-year ESU subscription, but using these scripts is illegal and poses significant risks to businesses.