Critical Patches Issued for Microsoft Products, January 14, 2020

MS-ISAC ADVISORY NUMBER:

2020-006

DATE(S) ISSUED:

01/14/2020

OVERVIEW:

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

THREAT INTELLIGENCE:

Critical vulnerability CVE-2020-0601 included in this roll up addresses a certificate validation vulnerability in the cryptographic library crypt32.dll that could allow for remote code execution.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

• .NET Core 3.0, 3.1
• ASP.NET Core 2.1, 3.0, 3.1
• Dynamics 365 Field Service
• Internet Explorer 9, 10, 11
• Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0, 3.5, 3.5.1, 4.5.2, 4.6, 4.6.2, 4.7, 4.7.1, 4.7.2, 4.8
• Microsoft Excel 2010, 2013, 2013 RT, 2016
• Microsoft Office 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019
• Office 365
• Office Online Server
• One Drive for Android
• Windows 7, 8.1, 10
• Windows RT 8.1
• Windows Server 2008 R2, 2008, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019
• Windows Server version 1803, 1903, 1909

RISK:

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 at the link below:
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-us/security-guidance

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.
• 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.

REFERENCES: