zero-day exploit Archives

Winsage

May 28, 2026

“I have proof for every single word”: This security researcher’s GitHub and Microsoft accounts were deleted after claiming a Windows 11 exploit in BitLocker is by design

A zero-day exploit named YellowKey was revealed by a researcher known as "Chaotic Eclipse" or Nightmare-Eclipse, which allows access to BitLocker-protected drives on Windows 11 using a USB key. Microsoft acknowledged the vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2026-45585, and provided mitigation strategies. The researcher expressed frustration over Microsoft's handling of the situation, including the banning of their GitHub account and lack of communication regarding unpaid bounties from Microsoft's MSRC program, which offers rewards for reporting vulnerabilities. Nightmare-Eclipse hinted at having evidence to support their claims and indicated plans to release documents related to the issue.

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Google adds Android app generation and Managed Agents to Gemini developer tools

Google unveiled enhancements to its Gemini technology at the I/O 2026 event, introducing new developer tools in AI Studio and the Gemini API. Key features include the ability to generate native Android applications directly from AI Studio, which produces Kotlin code using Jetpack Compose patterns and supports hardware features like camera and GPS. The platform includes an embedded Android Emulator and allows direct publishing to the Google Play Console while adhering to Google Play's quality standards. Additionally, Google introduced Antigravity 2.0, an agent-first development platform with a revamped desktop application and SDK for custom workflows. Projects from AI Studio can be exported to Antigravity for local development. The Managed Agents feature in the Gemini API enables developers to create agents with a single API call, allowing them to reason and execute code in a secure Linux environment. This feature is available in Public Preview and simplifies infrastructure tasks for production-grade agents. Custom agents can be defined and registered, with Google encouraging developers to create their own managed agents.

Winsage

May 20, 2026

How To Mitigate The Microsoft Windows BitLocker ‘Angry Hacker’ 0-Day

Microsoft is addressing a zero-day exploit known as YellowKey, identified as CVE-2026-45585, which allows attackers to bypass BitLocker security using a specially crafted USB device. Following the release of exploit code by a hacker named Chaotic Eclipse, Microsoft has issued urgent mitigation advice. Cybersecurity expert Neena Sharma recommends treating this as an active threat and suggests implementing compensating controls, such as restricting USB boot access, until a patch is available. Microsoft has provided guidance for users to protect their systems, including the recommendation to add a PIN to BitLocker protection to reduce the risk of exploitation. Detailed instructions for adding a PIN are included in the advisory. YellowKey has not yet been exploited in the wild but requires physical access to the device.

Winsage

May 17, 2026

New Windows ‘MiniPlasma’ zero-day exploit gives SYSTEM access, PoC released

A cybersecurity researcher, known as Chaotic Eclipse, has released a proof-of-concept exploit for a Windows privilege escalation zero-day vulnerability called "MiniPlasma," which allows attackers to gain SYSTEM privileges on fully patched Windows systems. The vulnerability affects the cldflt.sys Cloud Filter driver and was reported by Google Project Zero in September 2020, assigned the identifier CVE-2020-17103, and claimed to be resolved by Microsoft in December 2020. However, Chaotic Eclipse asserts that the vulnerability remains unpatched. Testing confirmed that the exploit works on Windows 11 Pro, enabling command prompt access with SYSTEM privileges from a standard user account. Will Dormann, a vulnerability analyst, verified the exploit's effectiveness but noted it did not work in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Canary build. The exploit leverages the undocumented CfAbortHydration API to manage registry key creation improperly. Chaotic Eclipse has previously disclosed other Windows zero-day vulnerabilities and claims their actions are a protest against Microsoft's handling of vulnerabilities.

Winsage

May 15, 2026

Microsoft fixes a major BitLocker bug… but leaves Windows 10 users hanging (for now)

Microsoft confirmed a BitLocker-related issue caused by the April 2026 Security Update (KB5083769) for Windows 11, which led some devices to boot into the BitLocker recovery screen. A fix has been released, but it is currently available only for Windows 11, version 25H2, with Windows 10 and Windows Server users awaiting a solution. Administrators are advised to remove the "Configure TPM platform validation profile for native UEFI firmware configurations" Group Policy setting before installing the April 2026 update. Additionally, a security researcher named Chaotic Eclipse has developed a zero-day exploit called YellowKey, which can bypass BitLocker security using a USB stick, affecting Windows Server 2022 and 2025 but not Windows 10.

Winsage

May 15, 2026

Zero-day exploit completely defeats default Windows 11 BitLocker protections

A zero-day exploit named YellowKey allows individuals with physical access to Windows 11 systems to bypass BitLocker encryption protections. Discovered by researcher Nightmare-Eclipse, this vulnerability enables unauthorized users to access encrypted drives quickly. The exploit involves transferring a custom FsTx folder to a USB drive, connecting it to a BitLocker-protected device, and entering recovery mode to gain command prompt access without needing a BitLocker recovery key. Esteemed researchers Kevin Beaumont and Will Dormann have confirmed the exploit's functionality, although the specific mechanism within the FsTx folder that enables the bypass is not fully understood.

Winsage

April 16, 2026

A zero-day BlueHammer Windows exploit was leaked by a researcher fed up with Microsoft’s Security Response Center — and the rushed fix isn’t perfect

On April 2, 2026, a security researcher named Chaotic Eclipse announced a zero-day Windows exploit called BlueHammer, which allows attackers to gain SYSTEM privileges. Will Dormann, a principal vulnerability analyst, confirmed the exploit's functionality. Chaotic Eclipse criticized the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) for its perceived incompetence, suggesting that prior attempts to resolve the issue privately were ignored. Dormann indicated that budget cuts at Microsoft may have led to a decline in the quality of the MSRC. BlueHammer was neutralized in the Windows 11 CVE-2026-33825 update released on April 14, 2026, but some components may still exist.

Winsage

April 14, 2026

Microsoft’s April Windows update fixes 165 flaws, one exploited zero-day

Microsoft has released its April 2026 Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 11, addressing a total of 165 vulnerabilities, including one zero-day exploit that has been actively targeted by malicious actors. The update aims to enhance security and improve overall system performance. Users are encouraged to promptly install the updates to mitigate risks associated with these vulnerabilities.

Winsage

April 10, 2026

Windows Zero-Day Published on Github as Microsoft Fails to Act

A security researcher named Chaotic Eclipse published a working exploit for a Windows zero-day vulnerability, called BlueHammer, on GitHub on April 2. The exploit allows attackers to gain SYSTEM-level privileges by exploiting a race condition in Windows Defender’s signature update mechanism. The exploit has gained significant attention, with over 100 forks and nearly 300 stars on GitHub. Will Dormann, a principal vulnerability analyst, confirmed that while BlueHammer is functional, it may not always operate reliably. Microsoft has not issued a patch for this vulnerability. The exploit targets the Windows Defender signature update process, allowing low-privilege attackers to manipulate a file path during operation, leading to access to the Security Account Manager (SAM) database. Currently, only 8 out of 72 cybersecurity vendors on VirusTotal flag the exploit file as malicious, which raises concerns about detection coverage. Microsoft reiterated its commitment to coordinated vulnerability disclosure but did not address the communication issues regarding the BlueHammer report.

Winsage

April 9, 2026

BlueHammer: Windows zero-day exploit leaked

A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit called BlueHammer has been released on GitHub, targeting an unpatched local privilege escalation vulnerability in Windows. The exploit, attributed to users Chaotic Eclipse and Nightmare Eclipse, has been modified by security researchers to work on updated versions of Windows 10, 11, and Windows Server. The exploit manipulates Microsoft Defender to create a Volume Shadow Copy, allowing access to sensitive registry files and enabling the extraction of NTLM password hashes. This facilitates the alteration of a local Administrator's password and subsequent login. The exploit can duplicate the Administrator's security token and create a malicious Windows Service that runs with SYSTEM privileges. While there are no reports of BlueHammer being exploited by malicious actors, researchers warn that such PoC code can be weaponized quickly. Microsoft has committed to investigating reported security issues related to this vulnerability.