Guest column by Citadel Information Group
Weekend Vulnerability and Patch Report
The following software vulnerabilities and updates were announced last week. Citadel Information Group strongly recommends that readers update their computers and take other action as indicated.
Important Security Updates
Adobe Flash Player: Adobe has released version 11.9.900.152 to fix 2 highly critical vulnerabilities of its Flash Player for the Windows, Mac, Linux and Android versions. Updates are available from Adobe’s website. Updates are also available for Adobe AIR.
Apple iOS: Apple has released version 7.0.4 of its iOS for several versions of the iPhone, iPad and version iOS 6.1.5. The update is available through the device or through Apple’s website.
Google Chrome: Google has released Google Chrome 31.0.1650.57 for Windows, Mac, Linux and Google Frame to fix highly critical vulnerabilities in previous unpatched versions. Updates are available from within the browser or from Google Chrome’s website.
Microsoft Patch Tuesday: Microsoft released several updates addressing at least 19 security vulnerabilities, some of which are highly critical, in Windows, Office (2003, 2007, 2010, 2013), Internet Explorer and more. Updates are available via Windows Update or from Automatic Update.
Mozilla Firefox: Mozilla has released version 25.0.1 of Firefox to fix at least 14 highly critical unpatched vulnerabilities in previous versions. Updates are available through Firefox browser.
Current Software Versions
Adobe Flash 11.9.900.152 [Windows 7: IE9, Firefox, Mozilla, Netscape, Opera]
Adobe Flash 11.9.900.152 [Windows 8: IE]
Adobe Flash 11.9.900.152 [Macintosh OS X: Firefox, Opera, Safari]
Adobe Reader 11.0.05
Dropbox 2.0.25 [Citadel warns against relying on Dropbox security. We recommend files containing sensitive information be independently encrypted with a program like Axcrypt; encryption keys be at least 15 characters long; and the Dropbox password be at least 15 characters long and different from other passwords.]
Firefox 25.0.1 [Windows]
Google Chrome 30.0.1599.101
Internet Explorer 11.0.9600.16428 [Windows 7: IE]
Internet Explorer 11.0.9600.16384 [Windows 8: IE]
Java SE 7 Update 45 [Citadel recommends removing or disabling Java from your browser. Java is a major source of cyber criminal exploits. It is not needed for most internet browsing. If you have a particular web site that requires Java, Citadel recommends using a two-browser approach to minimize risk. If you normally browse the Web with Firefox, for example, disable the Java plugin in Firefox and use an alternative browser - such as Chrome, IE9, Safari, etc - with Java enabled to browse only the sites that require it.]
QuickTime 7.7.4
Safari 5.1.7 [Windows]
Safari 6.1 [Mac OS X]
Skype 6.10.0.104
Newly Announced Unpatched Vulnerabilities
Google Chrome for Android: Secunia reports several highly critical unpatched vulnerabilities in Google’s Chrome for Android in versions prior to 31.0.1650.59. Upgrade to version 31.0.1650.59 when available.
For an updated list of previously announced Unpatched Vulnerabilities, please see the resources section of Citadel’s website.
For Your IT Department
BlackBerry Link for Windows: Secunia reports a vulnerability in BlackBerry’s Link for Windows. Update to a fixed version.
Cisco Multiple Products: Secunia reports that Cisco has released many updates for multiple products, including Cisco IOS, Nexus 4000 Series, Content Services Gateway (CSG2), ASA Software and others. Apply appropriate updates.
Microsoft Windows Hyper-V: Secunia reports that Microsoft has released updates for a vulnerability in Windows 8 and Server 2012. Apply updates.
Symantec Workspace Streaming: Secunia reports a moderately critical unpatched vulnerability in Symantec’s Workspace Streaming. No official solution is available.
VMware Workstation and VMware Player: Secunia reports that VMware has released updates to fix a vulnerability in VMware Workstation and VMware Player. Update to a fixed version.
If you are responsible for the security of your computer, Citadel’s Weekend Vulnerability and Patch Report is for you. We strongly urge you to take action to keep your workstation patched and updated.
If someone else is responsible for the security of your computer, forward our Weekend Vulnerability and Patch Report to them and follow up to make sure your computer has been patched and updated.
Vulnerability management is a key element of cyber security management. Cyber criminals take over user computers by writing computer programs that “exploit” vulnerabilities in operating systems (Windows, Apple OS, etc) and application programs (Adobe Acrobat, Office, Flash, Java, etc). When software companies find a vulnerability, they usually issue an update patch to fix the code running in their customer’s computers.
Citadel Information Group publishes our Weekend Vulnerability and Patch Report to alert readers to some of the week’s important updates and vulnerabilities. Our focus is on software typically found in the small or home office (SOHO) or that users are likely to have on their home computer. The report is not intended to be a thorough listing of updates and vulnerabilities.
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