Mon, 2 Nov 2026
Security · Windows

Microsoft: hackers are exploiting zero-day bugs in Windows and Office, update now

With one click on a link, attackers can bypass SmartScreen protection. Google says the bug is under widespread active exploitation.

Osamah Ismail · Founder & Editor-in-Chief
· 1 min read · Updated:
Microsoft: hackers are exploiting zero-day bugs in Windows and Office, update now
Image: Microsoft

On February 11, Microsoft said hackers are exploiting critical zero-day bugs in Windows and Office, and released fixes.

The bugs

  • CVE-2026-21510: a Windows Shell flaw affecting all supported versions of Windows. One click on a link bypasses SmartScreen protection
  • CVE-2026-21513: a flaw in MSHTML that lets attackers bypass Windows security features and plant malware

How serious?

  • According to Google, the Windows Shell bug is under "widespread, active exploitation"
  • According to Brian Krebs, Microsoft also patched three other exploited zero-days

What to do

  • Run Windows Update as soon as possible
  • Don't click links from unknown sources
Sources: Microsoft Security Response Center, Krebs on Security, TechCrunch
Osamah Ismail

Founder and editor-in-chief of Kurd Developers. Phone and tech news on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.