remote code execution Archives

Winsage

February 11, 2026

Patch Tuesday, February 2026 Edition

Microsoft has released updates addressing over 50 vulnerabilities in its Windows operating systems and applications, including six critical zero-day vulnerabilities. 1. CVE-2026-21510: A security feature bypass in Windows Shell that allows execution of malicious content via a single click on a link, affecting all supported Windows versions. 2. CVE-2026-21513: Targets MSHTML, the web browser engine in Windows. 3. CVE-2026-21514: A security feature bypass in Microsoft Word. 4. CVE-2026-21533: Allows local attackers to gain SYSTEM level access in Windows Remote Desktop Services. 5. CVE-2026-21519: An elevation of privilege flaw in the Desktop Window Manager (DWM). 6. CVE-2026-21525: A potential denial-of-service threat in the Windows Remote Access Connection Manager. Additionally, the updates include fixes for remote code execution vulnerabilities affecting GitHub Copilot and various IDEs, specifically CVE-2026-21516, CVE-2026-21523, and CVE-2026-21256, which arise from a command injection flaw. Security experts emphasize the importance of safeguarding developers due to their access to sensitive data and recommend applying least-privilege principles.

Winsage

February 11, 2026

Microsoft fixes six actively exploited flaws in latest Windows 11 update

Microsoft's February 2026 Patch Tuesday addressed 59 vulnerabilities in Windows 11, with six confirmed as actively exploited. The most critical vulnerability is CVE-2026-21510, a Windows Shell security feature bypass with a CVSS rating of 8.8, allowing attackers to evade warnings by tricking users into opening malicious files. Another significant vulnerability, CVE-2026-21513, also rated at 8.8, affects MSHTML and allows remote attackers to bypass execution prompts through malicious code in HTML or shortcut files. CVE-2026-21514 impacts Microsoft Word and enables adversaries to disable OLE mitigations, posing risks through document-based attacks. Two local privilege escalation vulnerabilities are CVE-2026-21519 in Desktop Window Manager and CVE-2026-21533 in Windows Remote Desktop Services, with CVSS scores of 7.8. CVE-2026-21525 is a denial-of-service vulnerability in Remote Access Connection Manager. The update includes 53 additional vulnerabilities across various Microsoft products and services, with CVE-2026-21531 in Azure SDK rated at 9.8 and CVE-2026-20841 affecting Windows Notepad rated at 8.8. The cumulative update for Windows 11 (KB5077181) also includes enhancements and resolves WPA3 Wi-Fi connectivity issues. Microsoft reminded users of the June 2026 expiration of Secure Boot certificates, which requires timely updates to ensure secure booting. Users can install the updates via Windows Update.

Winsage

January 19, 2026

The Last Windows Security Updates of January 2026 Are Here

Microsoft released its first set of security updates for the Windows operating system and various products in January 2026, addressing over 110 vulnerabilities. The updates are available for all supported versions of Windows, with Windows 10 receiving fixes only through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 are the main consumer releases benefiting from these updates. Approximately 112–114 security updates were released, with around 8 rated as Critical. At least one zero-day vulnerability is actively exploited. The updates include security fixes for Windows, Office, Edge, Azure, and server components. Windows 11 versions 23H2, 24H2, and 25H2, as well as Windows Server 2023 and 2025, have known issues. Windows 11 version 24H2 and 25H2 received security fixes for multiple vulnerabilities, while version 23H2 continues to receive support through enterprise servicing channels. Windows 10 updates are limited to ESU-enrolled systems, with general support ending in October 2025. Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2025 received January security updates, addressing important vulnerabilities without disclosing any critical ones. Microsoft also released updates for Office products and SharePoint Server components. Known issues after the January updates include credential prompt failures and authentication issues in Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365, particularly affecting the new Windows App. Workarounds involve using the classic Remote Desktop client or the web-based RDP client. Additionally, devices with Secure Launch enabled may experience shutdown and sleep mode failures. Microsoft has provided out-of-band fixes for certain affected systems as of January 18, 2026. Users can manually install updates through the Windows Update feature, and it is recommended to create a full system backup before proceeding with updates.

Winsage

January 14, 2026

Microsoft Fixes 114 Windows Flaws in January 2026 Patch, One Actively Exploited

On Tuesday, Microsoft released its first security update for 2026, addressing 114 vulnerabilities, including eight classified as Critical and 106 as Important. The vulnerabilities include 58 related to privilege escalation, 22 concerning information disclosure, 21 linked to remote code execution, and five categorized as spoofing flaws. A notable vulnerability, CVE-2026-20805, involves information disclosure within the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) and has a CVSS score of 5.5. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added this flaw to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, requiring federal agencies to implement fixes by February 3, 2026. Additionally, Microsoft announced the expiration of three Windows Secure Boot certificates issued in 2011, effective June 2026, urging customers to transition to newer certificates to avoid disruptions. The update also removed vulnerable Agere Soft Modem drivers due to a local privilege escalation flaw (CVE-2023-31096) and addressed another critical privilege escalation flaw in Windows Virtualization-Based Security (CVE-2026-20876) with a CVSS score of 6.7. Other vendors, including Adobe, Amazon Web Services, and Cisco, have also released security patches for various vulnerabilities.

Tech Optimizer

January 12, 2026

Trend Micro releases critical security fixes for Apex Central RCE

Trend Micro has addressed a security vulnerability in its Apex Central platform, identified as CVE-2025-69258, which allowed unauthenticated DLL injection and remote code execution. The company released Critical Patch Build 7190 to fix this vulnerability and two others, CVE-2025-69259 and CVE-2025-69260. Organizations are urged to implement the patch immediately, as temporary mitigations are deemed insufficient for long-term security. Apex Central is a self-hosted platform for managing Trend Micro's security products.

Winsage

December 19, 2025

Microsoft patches bug causing multiple Message Queuing errors

Microsoft released an out-of-band update (KB5074976) on December 19 to address Message Queuing (MSMQ) errors caused by December 2025 security updates. These updates have led to operational disruptions in business applications and IIS websites, particularly on systems running Windows 10 22H2, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2016, which received updates KB5071546, KB5071544, and KB5071543. Users reported issues such as inactive MSMQ queues, IIS sites generating "insufficient resources" error messages, and applications unable to write messages to queues. The problems stem from modifications in the MSMQ security model, which altered permissions for the system folder C:WindowsSystem32msmqstorage, requiring MSMQ users to have write access typically reserved for administrators. Systems with full administrative rights do not experience these issues. Microsoft is investigating the matter but has not provided a timeline for a resolution.

Winsage

December 17, 2025

Microsoft: December security updates cause Message Queuing failures

Microsoft has acknowledged a significant issue with the December 2025 security updates that disrupts Message Queuing (MSMQ) functionality, affecting enterprise applications and Internet Information Services (IIS) websites. The problem is prevalent among systems running Windows 10 22H2, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2016 with security updates KB5071546, KB5071544, and KB5071543. Users are experiencing inactive MSMQ queues, IIS sites failing with "insufficient resources" errors, applications unable to write to queues, and misleading error messages about "insufficient disk space or memory." The root cause is changes to the MSMQ security model that altered permissions on the C:WindowsSystem32MSMQstorage folder, requiring MSMQ users to have write access to a directory typically reserved for administrators. Devices with users logged in as administrators are not affected. Microsoft is investigating the issue but has not provided a timeline for resolution. Rolling back the updates is a potential solution for administrators, though it carries security risks. This follows a warning from Microsoft in April 2023 about a critical vulnerability in the MSMQ service.

Winsage

December 15, 2025

Windows patch causes multiple Message Queuing errors

Microsoft has acknowledged issues related to the December 2025 security updates affecting Message Queuing (MSMQ) functionality on Windows 10 22H2, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2016 systems. The updates KB5071546, KB5071544, and KB5071543 have caused problems such as inactive MSMQ queues, IIS sites showing “insufficient resources” errors, and applications unable to write messages to queues. These issues stem from modifications in the MSMQ security model, which now requires users to have write access to the C:WindowsSystem32msmqstorage folder, a privilege typically reserved for administrators. Systems with full administrative rights do not experience these problems, but this workaround is impractical for many enterprises. Microsoft is investigating the situation without a specified timeline for a resolution. Administrators may consider rolling back the updates, which poses its own security risks. In April 2023, Microsoft had warned about a critical vulnerability in MSMQ (CVE-2023-21554) that risked remote code execution attacks.

Winsage

December 12, 2025

Windows Defender Firewall Service Vulnerability

On December 9, 2025, Microsoft addressed a vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-62468, which allowed an authenticated local attacker to access sensitive memory within the Windows Defender Firewall Service due to an out-of-bounds read in the service's memory handling routines. This flaw could expose heap or process memory, potentially revealing sensitive information. The vulnerability requires local authenticated access, raising concerns for both home users and system administrators. Microsoft classified the vulnerability as important, emphasizing the need for prompt action. Users are advised to update their systems through Windows Update to mitigate the risk. There is no confirmed public exploit for this vulnerability, and it does not allow remote code execution, but it can lead to information disclosure.

Winsage

December 11, 2025

December Patch Tuesday fixes three zero-days, including one that hijacks Windows devices

Microsoft has released a security update addressing 57 vulnerabilities, including three critical zero-day exploits. The update targets vulnerabilities in Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server, Office, and related services. Specific vulnerabilities fixed include: - CVE-2025-62221: A privilege escalation vulnerability in the Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver. - CVE-2025-64671: A remote code execution vulnerability affecting GitHub Copilot for JetBrains. - CVE-2025-54100: A remote code execution issue within Windows PowerShell. PowerShell now provides warnings when the Invoke-WebRequest command fetches web pages without safe parameters to prevent unintended script execution. Users can apply the latest updates by checking Windows Update in Settings, downloading, and installing the updates, and ensuring their system is up to date.