Executive Summary CVE-2026-68820 is an actively exploited Windows vulnerability listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog, with a remediation deadline as suggested by CISA BOD 26-04. CISA BOD 26-04 introduces risk-based remediation timelines ranging from 3 to 14 days, increasing the pressure on teams to move quickly from patch availability to verified remediation. Installing […]

North Korean hackers have been exploiting a Windows zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2026-68820) to target defense-sector companies as part of the Operation Dream Job campaign. [...]

Microsoft’s August 2026 Patch Tuesday delivered security fixes for 400+ vulnerabilities, including one that has been exploited in zero-day attacks (CVE-2026-68820) and three that were publicly disclosed prior to the release of the patches. Vulnerabilities of note CVE-2026-68820 is a use-after-free flaw that affects the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock (AFD.sys) and allows a low-privileged local attacker to elevate privileges to SYSTEM. “A locally authenticated attacker could run a specially crafted application on an … More → The post Microsoft patches 400+ vulnerabilities, one zero-day under attack (CVE-2026-68820) appeared first on Help Net Security .

Microsoft released its monthly security updates on Tuesday, and one of the flaws it closed is already being used in attacks. The bug sits in a core Windows kernel driver that handles network socket operations. An attacker with code already running on a machine can use it to escalate to SYSTEM. That patch goes out first. The flaw is tracked as CVE-2026-68820 (CVSS score: 7.0) and is the only

CISA has added three new vulnerabilities to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog , based on evidence of active exploitation.   CVE-2026-20349 Cisco Secure Firewall Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firewall Threat Defense (FTD) Heap Inspection Vulnerability CVE-2026-68820 Microsoft Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock Use-After-Free Vulnerability CVE-2026-72898 Metabase SQL Injection Vulnerability These types of vulnerabilities are a frequent attack vector for malicious cyber actors and pose significant risks to the federal enterprise. Binding Operational Directive (BOD) 26-04: Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk establishes vulnerability management requirements for Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies. BOD 26-04 reinforces the importance of the KEV Catalog and requires federal agencies to prioritize rapid remediation of high-risk vulnerabilities, specifically those identified by Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) listed in CISA’s KEV Catalog on publicly exposed assets that grant total control of the asset post-exploitation, while deferring action for lower-risk vulnerabilities. BOD 26-04 further establishes basic expectations for when agencies must check whether threat actors compromised the system before the patch was applied. While BOD 26-04 applies only to FCEB agencies, CISA encourages all organizations to adopt risk-based vulnerability management and prioritize remediation of KEV Cata...

Microsoft Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.