The PHP security team released emergency security patches for two critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities (CVE-2026-109618 and CVE-2026-109619) tracked collectively as PHP2Shell. The two unauthenticated RCE flaws were discovered by Calif, Wiz, and OpenAI security researchers, and affect all PHP installations that serve web requests, including PHP-FPM, Apache with mod_php, php-cgi, FrankenPHP, and LiteSpeed. "We consider the risk highest for mod_php, with a demonstrated exploit where an unauthenticated request can trigger the attack before any application code runs," the PHP security team said. Both flaws stem from the same underlying problem: PHP can leave its memory in a corrupted state when a request ends abnormally, and both can be exploited to achieve remote code execution. CVE-2026-109618 can be used to gain remote code execution as the web worker account by exploiting a chain of weaknesses that trigger out-of-memory corruption, while the CVE-2026-109619 stale global state vulnerability enables unauthenticated heap use-after-free, memory disclosure, and remote code execution with the web worker's privileges.
CVE-2026-109618 and CVE-2026-109619 are Critical vulnerabilities in PHP, a scripting language used globally for web servers and CMS systems. The post Threat Brief: Critical Vulnerabilities in PHP: CVE-2026-109618, CVE-2026-109619 appeared first on Unit 42.
Microsoft has released PowerToys 0.102, with two new mouse utilities, new command-line tools, and Command Palette improvements. Mouse Button Lock, one of the new mouse tools, makes it easier to select items on screen by locking a mouse button while you hold down a key. "With Mouse Button Lock, press and hold a button for a moment, then let go. Windows keeps treating it as held, so you can continue dragging or selecting until you click any button," Microsoft senior product manager Niels Laute explained. "This is especially useful for gaming, working in professional applications that require extensive dragging and selection, and improving accessibility for users who find it difficult to hold down a mouse button for extended periods." Microsoft also added CursorHide to PowerToys, another mouse utility that automatically hides the mouse pointer while you type or when you aren't moving the mouse.
PHP prepares emergency patches for two critical RCE flaws, while older, unsupported versions could remain exposed without vendor fixes. The U.S. government ordered federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek products from their IT systems and stop buying them. The order also reaches third-party tools and services built with DeepSeek implementations, which is the part most organizations should notice. The notice doesn’t explain exactly what counts as a “DeepSeek implementation.” Agencies will need to ask suppliers whether their products fall under the ban. “The Department of Homeland Security is publishing notice of the Secretary of Homeland Security’s issuance of an order (1) excluding information technology products and services developed by Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co., Ltd (DeepSeek), to include affiliated entities as defined in applicable regulations, from federal civilian agency procurements; and, (2) removing all DeepSeek and DeepSeek-affiliate products, and third-party products and services developed using DeepSeek implementations, from civilian agency information technology.” reads the order. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin signed the order on July 24, 2026, under the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act of 2018. DHS published it in the Federal Register on October 20 as document 2026-21447, under docket DHS-2026-0628. The order cites national-security concerns. According to reporting on the notice, DHS said DeepSeek’s models could transfer sensitive data to China and may contain malware or other security weaknesses. “In a notice made public on Monday, the Department of Homeland Security also barred agencies from acquiring DeepSeek products and services, including those developed by affiliated entities.” South China Morning Post reports, “The notice said that using the company’s products “may result in the transfer of sensitive data to the PRC if used by US government employees or vendors”, adding that the models “themselves may contain malware or other security vulnerabilities”.” DeepSeek’s own privacy policy says it collects, processes, and stores personal data in the People’s Republic of China. That does not prove wrongdoing, but it explains why U.S. agencies treat data residency and foreign legal access as material risks. The ban doesn’t apply to private companies or ordinary users, but government contractors may also be affected. They generally can’t use covered products or services for federal contracts unless they receive a waiver. The goal is to catch hidden uses of DeepSeek, including AI models built into apps, services and development tools. Agencies need to check their systems, while suppliers must disclose which AI models they use, where the models process data and whether information leaves the customer’s environment. The ban took effect when issued, but existing contracts are covered only after the contracting officer formally updates them. Agencies can request an exception, but they must provide a strong justification. DHS signed the order on July 24 but didn’t publish it until October 20, 87 days later. The rules don’t set a deadline for public release, but they require officials to notify the company and relevant congressional committees and review the order at least once a year. This delay meant affected organizations had to comply before they could read the public explanation or see the signed order. China pushed back. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing opposes “the overstretching of the concept of national security” and would defend the lawful rights of Chinese companies; DeepSeek did not immediately comment to the Associated Press.[apnews] Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon Pierluigi Paganini (SecurityAffairs – hacking, AI)
Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Share: Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Press Release CISA, FBI and Partners Warn Organizations of SafePay Ransomware Actors Targeting Multiple Critical Infrastructure Sectors Provides: Technical Insights of Tactics, Detection Guidance and IOCs, Actions and Mitigations to Prevent/Reduce Impact Released October 21, 2026 Related topics: Cyber Threats and Response , Malware, Phishing, and Ransomware WASHINGTON – Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Secret Service (USSS), and international partners released a joint Cybersecurity Advisory, #StopRansomware: SafePay Ransomware, that warns organizations of one of the most active ransomware group in 2026, impacting approximately 600 victims across sectors in the Americas, Europe and Australia. To help organizations protect against this group, the advisory provides observed tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), indicators of compromise (IOCs) and recommended mitigations.
Microsoft says it mistakenly flagged a bug causing Always On VPN connection issues as fixed in the October 2026 Windows 11 cumulative updates. Always On VPN replaced the legacy DirectAccess technology and supports domain-joined, non-domain-joined, and Microsoft Entra ID–joined devices running Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server. It runs in the background and establishes secure tunnels back to the user's corporate network whenever their device connects to the internet. Microsoft first acknowledged the issue in a service alert sent to IT administrators in late September, saying it was triggered on systems running Windows 11 24H2 and later after installing the September 2026 security updates when the initial Always On VPN connection failed (e.g., when using automatic protocol selection with IKEv2 and SSTP).
This story is developing and was written before PHP's scheduled 14:00 UTC release on October 21. Once the release is out, the affected and fixed versions below are confirmed by the official advisory. PHP will ship an out-of-cycle security release at 14:00 UTC today, October 21, for two critical vulnerabilities that its security team has rated 9.2 on the CVSS v4.0 scale but has not described.
Unknown threat actors breached TeamUpdraft's website and potentially gained unauthorized access to customers' connection keys for UpdraftCentral, UpdraftVault, and UpdraftClone, using them to backdoor WordPress sites. TeamUpdraft is the developer behind UpdraftPlus, a popular WordPress backup plugin with over four million active installations. The vendor also offers UpdraftCentral, a remote
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) says the SafePay ransomware gang has breached over 600 critical infrastructure organizations worldwide since 2024. In a joint report with the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Germany's Landeskriminalamt Rheinland-Pfalz, and the UK's National Crime Agency and North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, the federal agency added that paying ransoms does not guarantee recovery of files encrypted in ransomware attacks and urged victims to report incidents to law enforcement. "SafePay is one of the most active ransomware groups and have affected businesses and critical infrastructure in North America, South America, Europe, and Australia—including at least 600 organizations from multiple critical infrastructure sectors since August 2024," CISA said.
Citizen Lab confirmed Pegasus on a Serbian rector’s iPhone 6 days before elections, raising the known civil society spyware target count to 16. The Citizen Lab published a research note confirming that the iPhone of Vladan Đokić, Rector of the University of Belgrade, was infected with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware sometime in 2026. The infection used a zero-click exploit, meaning Đokić did nothing to trigger it. No tap, no opened file, nothing. “In collaboration with the SHARE Foundation, we found with high confidence that Professor Vladan Đokić, Rector of the University of Belgrade, and prominent supporter of the Serbian student movement, was hacked with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware in 2026.” states Citizen Lab. Đokić became a prominent figure in Serbia’s student-led pro-democracy movement after refusing to facilitate a government crackdown on protesters. Serbian authorities raided his offices on March 31, seizing computers and servers. The Citizen Lab found the infection with high confidence and describes the investigation as ongoing. The timing raises questions. The discovery came just six days before Serbia’s snap parliamentary elections on October 25. Until September, Đokić had been publicly named as a possible candidate to lead the Student List. Since he spoke out against the crackdown, pro-government media have repeatedly attacked him. Citizen Lab explained what a Pegasus infection means. Once installed, the spyware can give its operator the same access to a device as its owner. This includes private and encrypted messages, and the ability to turn on the microphone and camera without the owner’s knowledge. “With the assistance of the SHARE Foundation, the Citizen Lab analyzed forensic artifacts collected from Vladan Đokić’s Apple iPhone at his request and with his consent.” reads the report. “We found with high confidence that it was infected with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware in 2026. The infection leveraged a zero-click exploit.” In a statement published by the university, Đokić called the spyware “another attempt of intimidation.” He called for an independent investigation, the public release of its findings, and criminal prosecution of those responsible. “Additionally, we note that Rade Bajić, who, as a prosecutor, investigated official corruption in a failed project in Belgrade, received an Apple Threat Notification.” continues Citizen Labs. The Citizen Lab also flagged Rade Bajić, a senior prosecutor who worked on the “Generalštab” case, a corruption investigation into the removal of heritage protections from a Belgrade site to clear the way for a luxury development backed by a company linked to Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law. Bajić says he was removed from the investigation in November 2025 without explanation, and spoke at a student protest in February denouncing political interference in the case. He received an Apple Threat Notification on August 13 and a reminder on August 27. The Citizen Lab treats this as a high-confidence indicator that his device was likely targeted with mercenary spyware. Forensic analysis of his device is still ongoing and no confirmation of infection has been published yet. These two cases bring the known total to at least 16 members of Serbian civil society targeted or infected with commercial spyware in 2026. In September, the SHARE Foundation, with support from Citizen Lab and Amnesty International, reported an earlier wave of attacks. The victims included a student protester confirmed to have been infected with Pegasus, opposition party members, and local officials. Those cases occurred around the period leading up to Serbia’s March local elections. The latest confirmed case was discovered just six days before the October parliamentary elections. Serbia’s security service dismissed the September reports as purely trivial sensationalism and said it operates within Serbian law. Citizen Lab did not identify who was behind the attack on Đokić’s phone. Pegasus is sold only to governments and state agencies, which limits the number of possible operators. If you received an Apple Threat Notification, treat your device as compromised until a technical expert confirms otherwise. In Serbia, contact the SHARE Foundation. Everywhere else, Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline supports journalists, human rights defenders, and activists. Enable Lockdown Mode on your iPhone immediately, keep iOS updated, and get your close contacts and colleagues screened as well. Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon Pierluigi Paganini (SecurityAffairs – hacking, Pegasus)
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