Microsoft's Valentine: Patches 6 exploited zero-days

• Six exploited zero-day vulnerabilities were fixed by Microsoft in the latest update cycle. • Administrators should prioritize patching internet-facing and high-risk systems immediately. • Check Microsoft's security advisories and the Security Update Guide for CVE details and mitigations. • If you cannot patch immediately, apply recommended mitigations and monitor for indicators of compromise.

What Microsoft released

Microsoft has issued security updates that address six zero-day vulnerabilities known to be exploited in the wild. The company bundled the fixes into its regular update mechanism and published advisory information for administrators to review.

Why this matters

Zero-day vulnerabilities are those that attackers can exploit before a vendor issues a patch, so when Microsoft confirms active exploitation, affected systems face immediate risk. Unpatched systems — especially internet-facing servers and endpoints with elevated privileges — are priority targets for follow-up attacks or lateral movement.

What admins should do now

1. Prioritize patch deployment: Apply the Microsoft updates as soon as testing allows, starting with internet-facing services, domain controllers, and systems that store sensitive data.

2. Review advisories: Consult Microsoft's security advisories and the Security Update Guide for the full list of affected products, CVE IDs, and any suggested workarounds.

3. Use staged rollouts: Test patches in a controlled environment before broad deployment to catch compatibility issues, then accelerate rollout for high-risk assets.

4. Apply mitigations if needed: If a patch cannot be installed immediately, implement vendor-recommended mitigations and network controls to reduce exposure.

Monitoring and incident response

Security teams should scan logs and telemetry for signs of exploitation and review endpoint detection alerts. If there are indicators of compromise, follow your incident response plan: isolate affected hosts, collect forensic data, and apply remediation steps.

Staying informed

Keep an eye on Microsoft's official channels — the Security Update Guide, Security Response Center blog, and product advisories — for updates, additional mitigations, and any post-patch guidance. Regular patch hygiene and layered defenses remain the best protection against active zero-day exploitation.