MULTIPLE VULNERABILITIES IN MICROSOFT PRODUCTS DETECTED

A cybersecurity advisory was issued today, April 13, 2021, regarding Microsoft products. The vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code, which could potentially lead to a breach.

What It Is:

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Microsoft products, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary 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.

Read Microsoft's Security Update Guide.

Threat Intelligence:

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

Systems Affected:

• Azure AD Web Sign-in
• Azure DevOps
• Azure Sphere
• Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based)
• Microsoft Exchange Server
• Microsoft Graphics Component
• Microsoft Internet Messaging API
• Microsoft NTFS
• Microsoft Office Excel
• Microsoft Office Outlook
• Microsoft Office SharePoint
• Microsoft Office Word
• Microsoft Windows Codecs Library
• Microsoft Windows Speech
• Open Source Software
• Role: DNS Server
• Role: Hyper-V
• Visual Studio
• Visual Studio Code
• Visual Studio Code - GitHub Pull Requests and Issues Extension
• Visual Studio Code - Kubernetes Tools
• Visual Studio Code - Maven for Java Extension
• Windows Application Compatibility Cache
• Windows AppX Deployment Extensions
• Windows Console Driver
• Windows Diagnostic Hub
• Windows Early Launch Antimalware Driver
• Windows ELAM
• Windows Event Tracing
• Windows Installer
• Windows Kernel
• Windows Media Player
• Windows Network File System
• Windows Overlay Filter
• Windows Portmapping
• Windows Registry
• Windows Remote Procedure Call Runtime
• Windows Resource Manager
• Windows Secure Kernel Mode
• Windows Services and Controller App
• Windows SMB Server
• Windows TCP/IP
• Windows Win32K
• Windows WLAN Auto Config Service

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

What It Means:

If you and/or your business utilize any of the Microsoft products mentioned above, you will need to apply appropriate patches provided by Microsoft to vulnerable systems immediately following proper testing.

Technical Summary:

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Microsoft products, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution.
 
A full list of all vulnerabilities can be found here.
 
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.

What To Do:

We recommend the following actions be taken:

• Apply appropriate patches or appropriate mitigations provided by Microsoft to vulnerable systems immediately after appropriate testing.
• Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative rights) to diminish the effects of a successful attack.
• Remind all users not to visit untrusted websites or follow links provided by unknown or untrusted sources.
• Inform and educate users regarding threats posed by hypertext links contained in emails or attachments especially from untrusted sources.
• Apply the Principle of Least Privilege to all systems and services.

Negative Consequences of Lost or Stolen Data:

The loss or theft of proprietary data can have severe impacts, particularly if the compromise becomes public and sensitive information is exposed. Possible impacts include:

• Temporary or permanent loss of sensitive or proprietary information.
• Disruption to regular operations.
• Financial losses incurred to restore systems and files.
• Potential harm to an organization’s reputation.

Should your agency or business need assistance with issues arising from vulnerabilities in Microsoft products including updates, Dox can help. Please contact Dox if there is anything we can do to assist in securing your agency, business, or organization.

Thank you for your time and stay safe online.