- Published
- Source
- CSO Online UK
- Filed under
- Zero-days, Microsoft, UK industry
- Vulnerabilities
- 1 CVE Exploited
Microsoft released a record-shattering 1,407 CVEs to be plugged today on October Patch Tuesday, breaking the 2020 record of 1,261. The list was so long that its release was several hours later than the usual 1 p.m. Eastern drop time, somewhat frustrating admins. The bugs include three zero-day vulnerabilities, one of which has been exploited. The zero day being exploited, and that should be dealt with immediately, is CVE-2026-96951, a security flaw that bypasses the Mark of the Web (MotW)…
If you run the affected product
- Find every instance – especially the ones reachable from the internet.
- Apply the vendor's patch or mitigation now: exploited flaws are fixed in days, not at the next patch cycle.
- Then check for signs it was used before you patched: web shells, new accounts, unusual outbound traffic.
More helpCISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue (opens in a new tab)
The vulnerabilities in this story
CVE-2026-96951 in the NVD (opens in a new tab)
- CVSS8.8High
- EPSS1.5%chance of exploitation in 30 days
- CISA KEVExploitedon the list since 13 Oct
Exploited vulnerabilities: CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog (CC0). Exploit prediction: EPSS by FIRST. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.
Defender’s notebook
The attacker technique behind this story, in MITRE’s terms – and what to check in your own estate.
Exploit Public-Facing Application
Initial AccessWhat a defender checks
- Find every internet-facing instance of the affected product.
- Patch, or apply the vendor's mitigation now – CISA's KEV list gives a deadline.
- Look for signs it was exploited before you patched: web shells, new accounts, odd outbound traffic.
Build the skillBlue Team Analyst · Vulnerability Management
© 2026 The MITRE Corporation. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of The MITRE Corporation. MITRE ATT&CK and ATT&CK are registered trademarks of The MITRE Corporation.
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Blue Team Analyst · Vulnerability Management
You can't patch everything at once. Learn what to fix first.
In our Blue Team Analyst programme you run a vulnerability scan, prioritise the output with CVSS, EPSS and asset criticality, and track remediation to closure with the teams who own the fix.
- Read scanner output properly
- Prioritise with CVSS, EPSS and asset criticality
- Track remediation to closure
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