WhatsApp users are advised to review their settings and update their app following the discovery of two security vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities, affecting media files and WhatsApp for Windows, could potentially aid cybercriminals in launching social engineering attacks. Although there is no evidence of real-world exploitation yet, users are urged to ensure their app is up to date for added protection.
The flaws, known as CVE-2026-23866 and CVE-2026-23863, were identified through Meta’s Bug Bounty program. WhatsApp has released an update to address the vulnerabilities and recommends users to check their settings to stay secure.
To safeguard against potential threats, users should update WhatsApp on their devices. Android users can do this via the Google Play Store by searching for WhatsApp Messenger and selecting “Update.” iPhone users should open the App Store, locate WhatsApp, and choose “Update.”
In related news, older Android devices may lose access to WhatsApp soon, as the platform plans to discontinue support for devices running versions older than Android 6 starting September 8, 2026. Affected users may receive a notification indicating the app will no longer function on their device. However, the impact is expected to be minimal since Android 6 is now considered outdated and rarely used on modern smartphones.
