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2.2 Million Vehicles Exposed to KARR Bluetooth Security Flaw

KARR Security System

Millions of drivers with a dealer-installed KARR Security System are being urged to update their KARR alarm using an iPhone or Android device after researchers uncovered a Bluetooth vulnerability that could allow nearby attackers to unlock or immobilize affected vehicles.   The flaw impacts more than 2.2 million vehicles equipped with the aftermarket security system, but it does not affect factory-installed vehicle software, Apple CarPlay or Apple's iPhone platform. 

KARR Security System Vulnerability Affects Dealer-installed Hardware 

The KARR Security System is installed by dealerships to secure vehicles on their lots. In many cases, the hardware remains connected even after buyers decline the paid KARR alarm service. Because it is third-party equipment, automakers cannot deliver fixes through their standard software update process.  Researchers from the University of California, San Diego found that attackers within Bluetooth range could lock or unlock vehicles, disable alarms, activate horns, flash lights, or prevent parked vehicles from starting. However, they confirmed the flaw cannot remotely start a vehicle or control it while driving. 

iPhone App Update Fixes KARR Alarm Flaw 

Acrisure Protection Group, which sells the KARR Security System, released a firmware update on July 20 after researchers privately disclosed the issue in January 2025. Owners using the KARR Security app on an iPhone should receive an update notification. Others must download the app, connect it to the KARR alarm, then navigate to "Customer Service" and "Firmware Update." The patch was released before presentations scheduled for DEF CON on August 9 in Las Vegas and the USENIX Security Symposium on August 12 in Baltimore.

Hidden KARR Security System Complicates Updates 

Researchers estimate at least half of affected owners never requested the KARR Security System. Dealerships often left deactivated hardware installed, yet researchers found these units continued broadcasting Bluetooth signals while vehicles were running and for up to 10 minutes after being switched off. Owners can identify the system by checking for a KARR or "SWDS" sticker on the driver's window or a blinking button beneath the dashboard. Most affected vehicles were purchased from Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Ford and Jeep dealerships in Southern California between 2017 and July 21, although impacted vehicles were also identified elsewhere.

Shared Bluetooth Key Exposes KARR Alarm Devices

Researchers discovered a universal authentication key embedded in the official smartphone app while reverse engineering Bluetooth communications. Using a proof-of-concept Android app, they unlocked vehicles, disabled KARR alarm functions, and triggered horns and lights. Although the flaw alone cannot steal a vehicle, researchers said it could provide quiet access before a commercially available locksmith tool creates a working key. Acrisure described the attack as "highly complex" and said the real-world risk is low. Neither UC San Diego nor Wired found evidence of criminals exploiting the vulnerability.

Privacy Concerns and Recommended Action

Researchers also warned that Bluetooth signals from the KARR Security System could reveal vehicle locations. Using the WiGLE wireless database, they estimated at least 2.2 million Bluetooth-enabled systems had been deployed and detected 97 KARR-equipped vehicles during a 20-minute drive near the UC San Diego campus.  Drivers should confirm whether their vehicle contains a KARR Security System, install the latest firmware using the iPhone or Android app, and contact their dealership or KARR support if they cannot complete the update. 

Oracle July 2026 Patch Fixes 1,434 CVEs Across 334 Products

July 2026 Critical Patch Update

Oracle has released its July 2026 Critical Patch Update, delivering one of its largest quarterly security releases to date. The latest Oracle security patch addresses more than 1,400 vulnerabilities across hundreds of products, with the company indicating that artificial intelligence likely played a significant role in identifying most of the flaws.  According to Oracle, the July 2026 Critical Patch Update contains 1,449 security patches, covering 1,434 unique Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) across 334 products.  

July 2026 Critical Patch Update Covers Hundreds of Oracle Products 

The latest Oracle security patch spans a wide range of enterprise products and platforms. Among the affected products are Database Server, Oracle APEX, Autonomous Health Framework, Essbase, Global Lifecycle Management, GoldenGate, NoSQL Database, Spatial Studio, SQL Developer, TimesTen In-Memory Database, Application Testing Suite, Commerce, Communications, Construction and Engineering, and E-Business Suite.  The July 2026 Critical Patch Update also includes security fixes for Enterprise Manager, Financial Services Applications, Food and Beverage Applications, Fusion Middleware, Analytics, HealthCare Applications, Hospitality Applications, Java SE, JD Edwards, MySQL, PeopleSoft, Retail Applications, Siebel CRM, Supply Chain, Systems, Utilities Applications, and Virtualization.  By addressing vulnerabilities across such an extensive product lineup, the Oracle security patch aims to reduce the risk posed by security weaknesses that could affect organizations running Oracle technologies in production environments. 

Hundreds of Vulnerabilities Can Be Exploited Remotely 

A notable aspect of the July 2026 Critical Patch Update is the number of flaws that attackers could potentially exploit without requiring authentication. Oracle stated that roughly 600 of the patches fix vulnerabilities that can be exploited remotely by unauthenticated attackers. In addition, hundreds of the addressed security flaws have been assigned critical severity ratings, emphasizing the importance of applying the latest Oracle security patch without delay. Among Oracle's products, the highest number of vulnerabilities were addressed in: 
  • E-Business Suite: 410 vulnerabilities 
  • Fusion Middleware: 355 vulnerabilities 
  • Communications: 168 vulnerabilities 
  • PeopleSoft: 84 vulnerabilities 
These figures highlight that some of Oracle's most widely deployed enterprise applications received a significant share of the security fixes included in the quarterly update.

AI-Driven Vulnerability Discovery Appears to Have Played a Major Role 

One of the most notable aspects of the July 2026 Critical Patch Update is Oracle's growing use of artificial intelligence for security research. Only a few dozen of the vulnerabilities included in the release were credited to external security researchers. This indicates that the overwhelming majority of the discovered flaws were identified internally, likely with the assistance of AI-driven vulnerability analysis. Earlier this year, Oracle disclosed that it has access to leading artificial intelligence systems, including Anthropic's Claude Mythos and OpenAI's most capable models. According to the company, these AI technologies are being used to accelerate vulnerability discovery and improve the speed and accuracy of security patch development.  Oracle also said it is applying this AI-driven vulnerability approach across its own software and cloud services, Oracle Health offerings, and the open source components that it both develops and depends on.

Organizations Urged to Apply the Oracle Security Patch Promptly 

The release of the July 2026 Critical Patch Update comes amid continued efforts by threat actors to exploit vulnerabilities in enterprise software before organizations can deploy security updates.  Oracle product vulnerabilities have previously been targeted in real-world attacks. The company cited examples that include the exploitation of a PeopleSoft zero-day vulnerability as well as a recently patched Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) vulnerability. Given the number of remotely exploitable and high-severity issues resolved in the Oracle security patch, organizations using affected Oracle products are advised to install the updates as soon as possible. Prompt deployment can help reduce exposure to attacks that take advantage of publicly known vulnerabilities before systems are secured. With 1,449 security patches addressing 1,434 unique CVEs across 334 products, the July 2026 Critical Patch Update represents one of Oracle's most extensive quarterly security releases.  

Apple Faces Lawsuit Over Hide My Email Privacy Vulnerability

Hide My Email

Apple is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit after Anthony Alvarez alleged that the company’s Hide My Email feature failed to protect users’ real email addresses as advertised. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, claims Apple promoted Hide My Email as a privacy safeguard while continuing to charge customers for access through its iCloud+ subscription service.  The legal action follows a report from 404 Media that revealed a reported vulnerability in Hide My Email. The report claimed the flaw could allow someone to identify a user’s actual email address from the private relay address generated by the feature. According to the report, Apple had been aware of the issue for more than a year before releasing a fix. 

Hide My Email Vulnerability Becomes the Focus of Apple Lawsuit 

Apple confirmed that it deployed a patch on July 3, 2026, stating that the Hide My Email vulnerability had been fully resolved. However, the lawsuit alleges that Apple continued marketing the feature as secure while the reported weakness remained unresolved.  The complaint states that security researchers first informed Apple about the vulnerability in June 2025. Although Apple acknowledged the report, Anthony Alvarez’s lawsuit claims the company did not resolve the issue for nearly a year. The filing also alleges that Apple incorrectly stated in March 2026 that the problem had been fixed, even though researchers reported that the vulnerability remained exploitable. 

How Apple’s Hide My Email Feature Works 

Hide My Email was introduced with Sign in with Apple in 2019. The feature creates unique relay addresses for supported apps and websites, allowing messages to reach a user’s inbox without revealing the person’s actual email address. Apple later expanded Hide My Email through the paid iCloud+ subscription, launched alongside iOS 15 and macOS Monterey in September 2021. The iCloud+ version allows subscribers to create unlimited private relay addresses for websites, newsletters and email communication. The lawsuit argues that millions of Apple users relied on Hide My Email to reduce spam, limit online tracking, protect personal information from data brokers and avoid exposure during third-party data breaches. Researchers cited in the complaint said that once a real email address is revealed, it may be linked with publicly available people-search databases, potentially exposing identities and other personal information.

Anthony Alvarez Claims Apple Misled Customers Over Privacy 

The complaint argues that Apple built much of its brand identity around privacy, referencing marketing statements such as “Privacy. That’s iPhone,” “What happens on your iPhone, stays on your iPhone,” and descriptions of privacy as a “fundamental human right” and “core value.”  According to the lawsuit, Apple’s privacy messaging influenced consumer decisions and helped justify premium pricing for Apple hardware and services. The plaintiffs claim Hide My Email was promoted as a central part of those privacy commitments.  The filing alleges that Apple asked researchers not to publicly disclose details of the vulnerability instead of warning customers or temporarily disabling the feature. It claims users were never informed that their real email addresses could potentially be exposed while Apple continued presenting Hide My Email as a privacy protection tool. 

Lawsuit Seeks Damages and Changes From Apple 

Anthony Alvarez is seeking reimbursement for iCloud+ subscription fees and other alleged financial losses. The lawsuit requests an injunction requiring Apple to either provide the privacy protection promised through Hide My Email or clearly disclose any limitations.  The complaint includes claims involving California’s Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law and Consumers Legal Remedies Act, along with allegations of fraud, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract, breach of implied warranty and unjust enrichment.  The lawsuit argues customers paid for Apple’s privacy protections in multiple ways, including iCloud+ subscription fees and premium prices associated with Apple devices marketed as offering stronger privacy features. Apple has stated that the July 3, 2026 patch resolved the Hide My Email issue. 

CVE-2026-42533 Exposes Critical Pre-Auth nginx RCE Flaw

CVE-2026-42533

A newly disclosed security flaw, CVE-2026-42533, has revealed a critical Pre-Auth nginx vulnerability that could allow attackers to achieve reliable RCE (remote code execution) without authentication. The issue affects nginx versions 0.9.6 through 1.30.3 (stable) and 1.31.2 (mainline), while patched releases include 1.30.4 and 1.31.3. Affected NGINX Plus versions include R33-R36 (fixed in R36 P7) and 37.0.0.1-37.0.2.1 (fixed in 37.0.3.1).  According to the disclosure, the vulnerability stems from a missing save-and-restore mechanism for PCRE capture state within nginx's two-pass script evaluation engine. The flaw enables attackers to trigger a heap buffer overflow with attacker-controlled content and length, while also exposing heap pointers through an information leak that can defeat Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR). Chaining both primitives enables reliable Pre-Auth nginx RCE. 

CVE-2026-42533 Impacts Multiple Configurations 

The advisory warns that deployments using map directives with regex patterns alongside regex capture sources, including location, server_name, rewrite, or if blocks, may be vulnerable. The issue depends on evaluation order, where regex capture references, such as $1 or named groups, are processed before a regex map variable.  Affected directives include proxy_set_header, proxy_method, proxy_pass, fastcgi_param, uwsgi_param, scgi_param, grpc_set_header, return, add_header, rewrite, set, root, alias, and access_log, among others. Both HTTP and stream modules are affected, and the vulnerable capture and map variables do not need to exist within the same directive. 

Technical Root Cause

The researcher explained that nginx evaluates expressions in two stages: a length calculation (LEN) pass followed by a value (VALUE) pass. During execution, regex map evaluation overwrites shared capture data stored in the request object. As a result, the LEN pass and VALUE pass can calculate different capture sizes, causing either a heap overflow or an information leak depending on the relative capture lengths.  The disclosure states that attackers can control both the overflow size and leaked data using ordinary HTTP requests, including request URIs, headers, and bodies. No credentials, client certificates, or unusual configuration beyond the vulnerable pattern are required.  Testing reportedly achieved 10 out of 10 successful exploitations on Ubuntu 24.04 using glibc 2.39 with ASLR enabled.

Mitigation and Disclosure

The researcher said recent fixes for CVE-2026-42945, CVE-2026-9256, CVE-2026-42055, and CVE-2026-48142 do not address CVE-2026-42533. Administrators are advised to upgrade immediately to nginx 1.30.4, 1.31.3, or the corresponding patched NGINX Plus releases.  Until systems are updated, defenders should audit configurations that combine regex captures with regex map variables in the same evaluation path. The researcher also released a static configuration scanner that identifies vulnerable configurations without exploiting them.  The initial report was submitted to F5 SIRT on May 17, 2026, with follow-up analyses covering additional variants, including cross-directive triggering and named capture clobbering. While a proof-of-concept exploit exists, the researcher said it will be withheld until users have sufficient time to apply patches, citing concerns over rapid exploitation following previous nginx vulnerability disclosures. 

Critical Notepad++ Bugs Could Lead to Code Execution, Patch Available

Notepad++ vulnerabilities

The latest Notepad++ vulnerabilities addressed in version 8.9.7 include several high-impact security flaws that could expose Windows systems to arbitrary code execution, file overwrite attacks, memory corruption, and authentication bypass.   Among the most critical issues is a PowerShell command injection vulnerability in the installer, alongside fixes for CVE-2026-52886, CVE-2026-54758, and CVE-2026-57233. The release also delivers stability improvements and feature enhancements for one of the most widely used text editors on Windows. 

PowerShell Command Injection Tops the List of Notepad++ Vulnerabilities 

The most severe Notepad++ vulnerability involves improper handling of PowerShell commands during installation. According to the developers, the installer has been updated to improve the robustness of PowerShell command processing, reducing the risk of command injection and unauthorized command execution. If exploited, the flaw could allow attackers to manipulate the installation process and execute arbitrary PowerShell commands. In practical scenarios, a compromised installer distributed through spoofed download sources or social engineering campaigns could enable malware deployment during installation, potentially leading to complete system compromise without the user's knowledge.

CVE-2026-52886, CVE-2026-54758, and CVE-2026-57233 Address Critical Risks

In addition to the installer flaw, the update resolves several other security issues across different components. CVE-2026-54758 addresses a stack buffer overflow in the expandNppEnvironmentStrs function that could result in memory corruption and potentially remote code execution. Meanwhile, CVE-2026-57233 fixes a Zip Slip path traversal vulnerability in the WinGUp updater, preventing attackers from overwriting arbitrary files during the update extraction process.  Another patched issue, CVE-2026-52886, fixes a session handling flaw where manipulated session.xml entries could bypass path validation through the backupFilePath starts_with check. The release also resolves an unassigned vulnerability affecting the macro system, where shortcuts.xml allowed macro execution without proper HMAC verification, creating an integrity bypass that could enable unauthorized macro execution.  Collectively, these Notepad++ vulnerabilities demonstrate how installers, local configuration files, session management, update mechanisms, and macro validation can become attack vectors if not adequately protected. 

Notepad++ v8.9.7 Brings Stability Improvements Alongside Security Fixes 

Beyond addressing Notepad++ vulnerabilities, version 8.9.7 introduces several usability and stability improvements. Users can now retain the expand and collapse state within "Folder as Workspace," while Incremental Search has been enhanced with count and nth-position indicators. The update also fixes crashes, user interface glitches, high-DPI scaling issues, symbolic link freezes, file handling inconsistencies, and search performance problems. Additionally, bundled components have been updated to Scintilla 5.6.4, Lexilla 5.5.1, and pugixml 1.16.  The Notepad++ team recommends that users update to version 8.9.7 as soon as possible, particularly in enterprise and development environments where the editor processes untrusted files or operates within automated workflows. Although the auto-updater is expected to roll out the release within two weeks, provided no regressions are detected, manual installation is recommended for immediate protection.   Developers are also encouraged to verify download sources, as keeping software updated and installing packages only from trusted locations remains an essential safeguard against exploitation of CVE-2026-52886, CVE-2026-54758, CVE-2026-57233, and other Notepad++ vulnerabilities. 

Zoom Patches Critical Windows Flaw Enabling Account Takeover

CVE-2026-53412

Zoom has released security updates to fix CVE-2026-53412, a critical Improper Input Validation vulnerability affecting its Windows software, which could allow attackers to take over user accounts via network access. The flaw primarily impacts the Zoom Desktop Client and other Windows-based Zoom products, prompting the company to urge users to install the latest updates. According to Zoom, CVE-2026-53412 carries a CVSS score of 9.8 and is tracked under security bulletin ZSB-26014. The company stated, "Improper Input Validation in Zoom Desktop Client for Windows and Zoom VDI Client for Windows may allow an unauthenticated user to conduct an account takeover via network access." The vulnerability is rated Critical with the CVSS vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

CVE-2026-53412 Affects Zoom Desktop Client for Windows 

The Improper Input Validation issue impacts Zoom Workplace for Windows before version 7.0.0 and Zoom Workplace VDI Client for Windows before versions 7.0.10, 6.6.15, and 6.5.18, depending on the software branch. Zoom advised users to remain protected by installing the latest software updates available through its download portal. The advisory credits Zoom Offensive Security for reporting the vulnerability. It also includes a revision history showing that version 1.0 of the bulletin was published on July 14, 2026, while version 1.1, released on July 15, 2026, removed Meeting SDK for Windows from the list of affected products. 

Three Additional High-Severity Vulnerabilities Addressed 

Alongside CVE-2026-53412, Zoom resolved three high-severity Windows vulnerabilities.  CVE-2026-53411 received a CVSS score of 7.8 and involves an Improper Input Validation flaw in the Zoom Workplace VDI Plugin for Windows before version 6.6.14. The issue could allow an authenticated local user to escalate privileges.  CVE-2026-53410, with a CVSS score of 7.0, is a time-of-check to time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition affecting the installation and uninstallation process of certain Zoom Windows clients. The flaw could enable an authenticated local user to gain elevated privileges.   It affects Zoom Workplace for Windows before version 7.0.5, Zoom Workplace VDI Client for Windows before versions 6.5.17 and 6.6.14, Zoom Workplace VDI Plugin for Windows before versions 6.5.17 and 6.6.14, Zoom Rooms for Windows before version 7.0.5, and Remote Control for Zoom Contact Center for Windows before version 7.0.0.  The fourth issue, CVE-2026-53409, carries a CVSS score of 7.8 and is an improper privilege management vulnerability affecting Zoom Rooms for Windows before version 7.1.0. It could allow an authenticated local user to escalate privileges through local access.  At the time of publication, there is no evidence that CVE-2026-53412 or the other disclosed vulnerabilities are being actively exploited in real-world attacks. Nevertheless, Zoom recommends users update affected Windows applications as soon as possible to mitigate potential security risks associated with the Zoom Desktop Client and related software.

Google Rolls Out Chrome 151 Beta and Early Stable Updates

Chrome Beta

Google released a series of Chrome 151 updates on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, covering desktop, Android, and iOS platforms, while ChromeOS devices began receiving their latest Chrome Beta update a day earlier. The latest Desktop Update introduces new Beta and Early Stable builds for Windows, Mac, and Linux, alongside stability and performance improvements across multiple platforms. 

Chrome Beta and Desktop Update Reach Version 151.0.7922.34 

The latest Chrome Beta Desktop Update has been released for Windows, Mac and Linux, updating the Beta channel to version 151.0.7922.34. Google said a partial list of changes is available through the project's Git log.   Users interested in moving between release channels can do so through the available switching options, while any newly discovered issues can be reported by filing a bug. The company also pointed users to its community help forum for troubleshooting and discussions about common issues.  Google also introduced an Early Stable Desktop Update, rolling out Chrome 151 versions 151.0.7922.34 and 151.0.7922.35 to a small percentage of Windows and Mac users. According to the company, a complete list of changes for the build is available in the release log, with additional information provided for its Early Stable rollout process.

Chrome 151 Expands Across Android and iOS 

On Android, Chrome 151 (151.0.7922.29) entered an Early Stable rollout for a limited number of users and is expected to reach more devices through Google Play over the following days. Google stated that the release focuses on stability and performance improvements, with complete technical changes documented in the Git log.  The Chrome Beta release for Android, also carrying version 151.0.7922.29, is already available through Google Play. Google said users can review a partial list of changes in the Git log, while information about new features is available on the Chromium blog alongside updates covering the web platform. For iPhone and iPad users, Chrome Stable 151 (151.0.7922.25) is scheduled to appear on the App Store within hours of the announcement. Similar to the Android release, the update delivers stability and performance improvements. Meanwhile, Chrome Beta 151 (151.0.7922.26) for iOS is expected to reach the App Store over the next few days, with Google publishing a partial change log for the release. 

ChromeOS Beta Update Also Released 

Ahead of the broader Chrome 151 announcements, Google began rolling out a Chrome Beta update for ChromeOS and ChromeOS Flex on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The Beta channel is being upgraded to OS version 16733.19.0, paired with browser version 151.0.7922.23, for most supported ChromeOS devices.  Google encouraged users across all releases to report newly identified bugs through its official reporting system, submit feedback directly through Chrome, or seek assistance via its ChromeOS and Chromebook community forums. The company also reminded users that instructions for switching release channels remain available for those interested in testing future Chrome Beta and Desktop Update builds. 

CISA Adds SonicWall SMA1000 Vulnerabilities to KEV Catalog Following Active Exploitation

CVE-2026-15409

Security researchers have identified two critical vulnerabilities, CVE-2026-15409 and CVE-2026-15410, affecting SonicWall SMA1000 Series appliances. The flaws are already being exploited in the wild, prompting urgent warnings from SonicWall and CISA. Successful exploitation could result in Remote Code Execution, bypass of security restrictions, and broader compromise of affected systems.  The vulnerabilities impact SonicWall SMA1000 models 6210, 7210, and 8200v running versions 12.4.3-03245, 12.4.3-03387, 12.4.3-03434 (platform-hotfix), 12.5.0-02283, 12.5.0-02624, and 12.5.0-02800 (platform-hotfix). 

CVE-2026-15409 and CVE-2026-15410 Explained 

CVE-2026-15409 is a server-side request forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in the SMA1000 Appliance Work Place interface. According to SonicWall, an unauthenticated remote attacker could force the appliance to send requests to unintended locations. The flaw carries a CVSS v3 score of 10.0 with the vector CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H and is mapped to CWE-918.  CVE-2026-15410 is a post-authentication code injection vulnerability in the SMA1000 Appliance Management Console (AMC). Under specific conditions, a remote authenticated attacker with administrator privileges could execute arbitrary operating system commands, enabling Remote Code Execution. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.2, uses the vector CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, and is associated with CWE-94. 

Active Exploitation and Impact 

SonicWall confirmed that CVE-2026-15409 and CVE-2026-15410 are being actively exploited. The advisory states, "SonicWall PSIRT has investigated multiple cases indicating the active exploitation of the vulnerabilities described in this advisory. Customers are strongly urged to upgrade to the hotfix release as soon as possible to remediate these vulnerabilities."  The vulnerabilities may allow Remote Code Execution and bypass of security restrictions, increasing the risk of unauthorized system access. 

Fixed Versions and Detection Guidance 

SonicWall has released fixes in 12.4.3-03453 (platform-hotfix) and later, and 12.5.0-02835 (platform-hotfix) and later. The company noted that these issues do not affect SSL-VPN running on SonicWall firewalls or the SMA 100 Series product line.  Administrators are advised to inspect extraweb_access.log for HTTP 200 requests to /api/login or /api/logout, suspicious /wsproxy requests returning HTTP 101, ctrl-service.log entries indicating hotfix rollbacks with path traversal names, and unauthorized /api/login or /api/logout routes in /var/lib/unit/conf.json.  If indicators of compromise are found, SonicWall recommends re-imaging hardware appliances or redeploying virtual appliances, changing user and administrator passwords, and resetting TOTP tokens after performing a forensic investigation.  The advisory, SNWLID-2026-0008, was first published and last updated on July 14, 2026. The vulnerabilities were internally discovered by Adam Babis of SonicWall PSIRT, while Sean Koessel and Steven Adair of Volexity were credited in Version 1.1 for helping identify an additional indicator of compromise during the investigation. On the same day, CISA added the vulnerabilities to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog. 

Microsoft’s Largest Patch Tuesday Fixes 622 Vulnerabilities, Two Under Active Attack

Microsoft Patch Tuesday

Microsoft Patch Tuesday July 2026 delivered the company's largest security update to date, addressing 622 Microsoft CVEs, more than tripling the roughly 200 vulnerabilities patched in June. Among the fixes are two zero-day vulnerabilities—CVE-2026-56164 and CVE-2026-56155—that Microsoft confirmed are being actively exploited, making them the highest-priority updates in this month's release.  According to Microsoft's July 2026 Security Updates, the release includes patches across multiple product families. Windows accounts for the largest share with 416 vulnerabilities, followed by Office with 82, Microsoft Edge with 46, Developer Tools with 27, SharePoint Server with 17, Azure with 11, SQL Server with eight, Defender and Exchange Server with five each, and four additional updates categorized under Other. Microsoft also republished 428 non-Microsoft Chromium CVEs. 

Microsoft Patch Tuesday July 2026 Highlights Exploited Vulnerabilities 

The two most significant flaws in Microsoft Patch Tuesday July 2026 are CVE-2026-56164 and CVE-2026-56155, both elevation-of-privilege vulnerabilities affecting critical enterprise infrastructure.  CVE-2026-56164 impacts on-premises Microsoft SharePoint Server and allows an unauthenticated attacker to elevate privileges remotely over the network without requiring credentials or user interaction. Microsoft said the vulnerability was discovered by Mandiant incident responders and Google's FLARE team, suggesting it was identified during investigations into active attacks. However, the company has not disclosed how the flaw was exploited or who was responsible.  Microsoft also noted that enabling the Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) in Full Mode can help reduce the attack risk. The update arrives on the same day that SharePoint Server 2016 and SharePoint Server 2019 reach the end of extended support. Unlike Windows Server and SQL Server, these products do not have a paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. SharePoint has remained a frequent target since the ToolShell attack chain affected unpatched servers in 2025. 

The Second Vulnerability (CVE-2026-56155)

The second actively exploited vulnerability, CVE-2026-56155, affects Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS). Microsoft said the flaw enables an authenticated attacker to elevate privileges locally because of weak access controls. The company's Detection and Response Team (DART) reported the issue. While Microsoft has not disclosed the exact privileges attackers gained or how the vulnerability was used, AD FS plays a critical role by issuing authentication tokens across enterprise environments, increasing the potential impact of a successful attack.  Beyond these two zero-days, Microsoft identified CVE-2026-50661, a Windows BitLocker Security Feature Bypass vulnerability, as publicly known.  As of publication, neither CVE-2026-56164 nor CVE-2026-56155 has been added to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, Microsoft has already classified both as exploited through its own exploitability assessment. The company also assigned the SharePoint flaw a relatively low severity rating, highlighting that active exploitation should take precedence over severity scores when prioritizing remediation. 
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