Microsoft Patch Tuesday February Update Flags Exchange and Azure Vulnerabilities as High-Priority Risks

**Microsoft February 2026 Patch Tuesday — Executive summary:** Microsoft released fixes for 54 vulnerabilities, notably six zero-day flaws confirmed as actively exploited in the wild affecting Windows Shell, MSHTML, Microsoft Word, Desktop Window Manager, Remote Access Connection Manager, and Remote Desktop Services; the bulletin emphasizes a concentration of Elevation of Privilege and Remote Code Execution issues across Windows, Office, Exchange, and multiple Azure services and urges organizations to prioritize remediation and rapid compatibility testing to mitigate active exploitation risks.