Table of Contents
- Which Libraries Are Putting Your Computer at Risk Right Now?
- What Is This libcurl Thing?
- Why Should You Care?
- How to Find These Hidden Dangerous Files
- What You Might Find
- What Makes a Version Dangerous?
- Simple Steps to Stay Safe
- Solution 1. Check Your Programs
- Solution 2. Update When Possible
- Solution 3. Remove What You Don’t Need
- Solution 4. Be Careful with Manual Fixes
- Solution 5. Watch for Updates
- The Microsoft Office Problem
- What Computer Experts Say
- Keep Your Computer Safe
Which Libraries Are Putting Your Computer at Risk Right Now?
Windows computers store many hidden files that can create big problems. One dangerous file type is old versions of libcurl.dll. These files help programs talk to websites. But old versions have holes that bad people can use to hurt your computer.
What Is This libcurl Thing?
cURL is a tool that helps programs download and upload files from the internet. Think of it like a helper that carries messages between your computer and websites. The main part of this tool is called libcurl.
Many programs on your computer use libcurl. This includes:
- Adobe Lightroom
- Microsoft Office
- Notepad++
- VMware programs
- Backup software
The problem is that many companies put old versions of this tool in their programs. These old versions have security holes that hackers can use.
Why Should You Care?
Old libcurl files can let bad people:
- Break into your computer
- Steal your information
- Crash your programs
- Use your computer to attack others
Security scanners like Nessus and CrowdStrike often find these dangerous files on computers. When they do, they warn you that your computer might be at risk.
One person found that Microsoft Office came with libcurl version 8.7.0.0 in July 2025. This version had known problems that could hurt computers. Even worse, every time Microsoft updated Office, it put the old dangerous file back.
How to Find These Hidden Dangerous Files
You can use a simple PowerShell command to find all libcurl files on your computer. PowerShell is a tool that comes with Windows.
Here’s what to do:
- Press the Windows key and type “PowerShell“
- Right-click on PowerShell and choose “Run as administrator“
- Copy and paste this command:
(Get-ChildItem -Path "C:\Program Files", "C:\Program Files (x86)" -Filter libcurl.dll -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue) | ForEach-Object { Get-Command ($_.fullname)} | Select-Object source,version
This command does three things:
- Looks through your program folders
- Finds all files named libcurl.dll
- Shows you where they are and what version they are
What You Might Find
When you run this command, you might see results like this:
| Program | File Location | Version |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Lightroom | C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Lightroom Classic\libcurl.dll | 8.11.1.0 |
| Microsoft Office | C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\ODBC Drivers\Salesforce\lib\libcurl.dll | 8.7.0.0 |
| Notepad++ | C:\Program Files\Notepad++\updater\libcurl.dll | 8.13.0.0 |
| Synology Backup | C:\Program Files (x86)\Synology\ActiveBackupforBusinessAgent\ui\ui\libcurl.dll | 7.87.0.0 |
Files showing version 0.0.0.0 are very old and dangerous. These files might be from 2013 or earlier.
What Makes a Version Dangerous?
Any libcurl version older than 8.9.1 has known security problems. The most recent big problem is called CVE-2024-7264. This problem was found and fixed in 2024, but many programs still use the old broken versions.
Programs that often have old dangerous versions include:
- Microsoft Office and Teams
- Adobe products
- Backup software
- VPN programs
- Database tools
Simple Steps to Stay Safe
Solution 1. Check Your Programs
Run the PowerShell command above to see what you have. Write down any versions older than 8.9.1.
Solution 2. Update When Possible
Look for updates to programs that have old libcurl files. Many companies have newer versions available.
Solution 3. Remove What You Don’t Need
If you find libcurl files in programs you don’t use, you can remove those programs safely.
Solution 4. Be Careful with Manual Fixes
Some people try to replace old libcurl files with new ones. This can break your programs. It’s better to wait for the company to fix their software.
Solution 5. Watch for Updates
Keep checking for new versions of your programs. Companies are slowly fixing this problem, but it takes time.
The Microsoft Office Problem
Microsoft Office has a special challenge. It includes a Salesforce ODBC driver that uses old libcurl files. Even if you don’t use Salesforce, this file is still there.
The frustrating part is that every time Microsoft updates Office, it puts the old dangerous file back. This means manual fixes don’t last long.
Microsoft knows about this problem, but they haven’t fixed it yet. Security experts are asking Microsoft to update their software to use safer versions.
What Computer Experts Say
Security experts warn that this is a widespread problem. Many programs include old libraries without checking for security problems. This creates a supply chain risk where one small problem affects many different programs.
The curl project team, who makes libcurl, says they fixed the security problems months ago. But it’s up to each software company to use the fixed version in their programs.
Keep Your Computer Safe
Finding and tracking old libcurl files is an important step in keeping your computer safe. Use the PowerShell command regularly to check for new dangerous files. Focus on updating the programs you use most often.
Remember that security is an ongoing process. New problems are found regularly, and software companies need time to create fixes. By staying aware of what’s on your computer, you can make better decisions about which programs to trust and use.
The good news is that awareness of this problem is growing. More companies are paying attention to the libraries they include in their software. But until they all catch up, it’s important to stay alert and check your own computer for these hidden risks.