Critical Patches Issued for Microsoft Products, August 13, 2024 – PATCH: NOW

OVERVIEW:
Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Microsoft products, the most severe of which could allow for remote code execution in the context of the logged on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.

THREAT INTELLIGENCE:
There are currently no reports of these vulnerabilities being exploited in the wild.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

  • Windows Secure Kernel Mode
  • Windows Kerberos
  • Microsoft Windows DNS
  • Windows TCP/IP
  • Microsoft Office
  • Azure Connected Machine Agent
  • Windows Kernel
  • Windows Power Dependency Coordinator
  • Azure Stack
  • Azure Health Bot
  • Windows IP Routing Management Snapin
  • Windows NTFS
  • Microsoft Local Security Authority Server (lsasrv)
  • Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS)
  • Microsoft Bluetooth Driver
  • Microsoft Streaming Service
  • Windows Network Address Translation (NAT)
  • Windows Clipboard Virtual Channel Extension
  • Windows NT OS Kernel
  • Windows Resource Manager
  • Windows Deployment Services
  • Reliable Multicast Transport Driver (RMCAST)
  • Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock
  • Windows WLAN Auto Config Service
  • Windows Layer-2 Bridge Network Driver
  • Windows DWM Core Library
  • Windows Transport Security Layer (TLS)
  • Microsoft WDAC OLE DB provider for SQL
  • Windows Security Center
  • Azure IoT SDK
  • Windows Network Virtualization
  • Windows Mobile Broadband
  • Windows Update Stack
  • Windows Compressed Folder
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • .NET and Visual Studio
  • Microsoft Office Visio
  • Microsoft Office Excel
  • Microsoft Office PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Office Outlook
  • Windows App Installer
  • Windows Scripting
  • Windows SmartScreen
  • Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers
  • Microsoft Office Project
  • Azure CycleCloud
  • Windows Common Log File System Driver
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Windows Print Spooler Components
  • Line Printer Daemon Service (LPD)
  • Microsoft Copilot Studio
  • Windows Mark of the Web (MOTW)
  • Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver
  • Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based)
  • Windows Initial Machine Configuration

RISK:
Government:

  • Large and medium government entities: High
  • Small government entities: Medium

Businesses:

  • Large and medium business entities: High
  • Small business entities: Medium

Home users: Low

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:
Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Microsoft products, the most severe of which could allow for remote code execution.

A full list of all vulnerabilities can be found in the Microsoft link in the References section.

Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could result in an attacker gaining the same privileges as the logged-on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
We recommend the following actions be taken:

  • Apply appropriate patches or appropriate mitigations provided by Microsoft to vulnerable systems immediately after appropriate testing. (M1051: Update Software)
    • Safeguard 7.1: Establish and Maintain a Vulnerability Management Process: Establish and maintain a documented vulnerability management process for enterprise assets. Review and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
    • Safeguard 7.4: Perform Automated Application Patch Management: Perform application updates on enterprise assets through automated patch management on a monthly, or more frequent, basis.
  • Apply the Principle of Least Privilege to all systems and services, and run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative rights) to diminish the effects of a successful attack. (M1026: Privileged Account Management)
    • Safeguard 4.7: Manage Default Accounts on Enterprise Assets and Software: Manage default accounts on enterprise assets and software, such as root, administrator, and other pre-configured vendor accounts. Example implementations can include: disabling default accounts or making them unusable.
    • Safeguard 5.4: Restrict Administrator Privileges to Dedicated Administrator Accounts: Restrict administrator privileges to dedicated administrator accounts on enterprise assets. Conduct general computing activities, such as internet browsing, email, and productivity suite use, from the user’s primary, non-privileged account.
  • Remind all users not to visit untrusted websites or follow links/open files provided by unknown or untrusted sources. (M1017: User Training)
    • Safeguard 14.1: Establish and Maintain a Security Awareness Program: Establish and maintain a security awareness program. The purpose of a security awareness program is to educate the enterprise’s workforce on how to interact with enterprise assets and data in a secure manner. Conduct training at hire and, at a minimum, annually. Review and update content annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
    • Safeguard 14.2: Train Workforce Members to Recognize Social Engineering Attacks: Train workforce members to recognize social engineering attacks, such as phishing, pre-texting, and tailgating.
  • Use capabilities to prevent suspicious behavior patterns from occurring on endpoint systems. This could include suspicious process, file, API call, etc. behavior. (M1040 : Behavior Prevention on Endpoint)
    • Safeguard 13.2 : Deploy a Host-Based Intrusion Detection Solution: Deploy a host-based intrusion detection solution on enterprise assets, where appropriate and/or supported.
    • Safeguard 13.7 : Deploy a Host-Based Intrusion Prevention Solution: Deploy a host-based intrusion prevention solution on enterprise assets, where appropriate and/or supported. Example implementations include use of an Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) client or host-based IPS agent.

REFERENCES:

Microsoft:
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/releaseNote/2024-Aug