Mozilla Firefox Version 79.0 Released With Security Updates

Mozilla sent Firefox Version 79.0 to the release channel today.  The update includes ten security updates of which four (4) are rated high, three (3) moderate and three (3) low.

Also released was Firefox ESR Version 68.11.

High

• #CVE-2020-15652: Potential leak of redirect targets when loading scripts in a worker
• #CVE-2020-6514: WebRTC data channel leaks internal address to peer
• #CVE-2020-15655: Extension APIs could be used to bypass Same-Origin Policy
• #CVE-2020-15659: Memory safety bugs fixed in Firefox 79

Moderate

• #CVE-2020-15653: Bypassing iframe sandbox when allowing popups
• #CVE-2020-6463: Use-after-free in ANGLE gl::Texture::onUnbindAsSamplerTexture
• #CVE-2020-15656: Type confusion for special arguments in IonMonkey

Low

• #CVE-2020-15658: Overriding file type when saving to disk
• #CVE-2020-15657: DLL hijacking due to incorrect loading path
• #CVE-2020-15654: Custom cursor can overlay user interface

New

• We’ve rolled out WebRender to more Windows users with Intel and AMD GPUs, bringing improved graphics performance to an even larger audience.
• Firefox users in Germany will now see more Pocket recommendations in their new tab featuring some of the best stories on the web. If you don’t see them, you can turn on Pocket articles in your new tab by following these steps.

Fixed

• Several crashes while using a screen reader were fixed, including a frequently encountered crash when using the JAWS screen reader.
  
• Firefox Developer Tools received significant fixes allowing screen reader users to benefit from some of the tools that were previously inaccessible.
  
• SVG title and desc elements (labels and descriptions) are now correctly exposed to assistive technology products such as screen readers.
  

References

• Common questions after updating Firefox
• Security Updates
• Release Notes
• Rapid Release Calendar

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Oracle Java SE JRE Security Updates

Oracle released the scheduled critical security updates for its Java SE Runtime Environment software. This Critical Patch Update contains 11 new security patches for Oracle Java SE.  All of these vulnerabilities may be remotely exploitable without authentication, i.e., may be exploited over a network without requiring user credentials.

Update

If Java is still installed on your computer, it is recommended that this update be applied as soon as possible due to the threat posed by a successful attack.

Download Information

Java SE Runtime Environment Version 8u261:  https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jre8-downloads-2133155.html

Notes:

• UNcheck any pre-checked toolbar and/or software options presented with the update. They are not part of the software update and are completely optional.  Preferably, see the instructions below on how to handle "Unwanted Extras".  
• Oracle does not plan to migrate desktops from Java 8 to Java 9 through the auto update feature.  Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you uninstall JRE 8 prior to updating.
• Verify your version:  http://www.java.com/en/download/testjava.jsp.   Note:  The Java version verification page will only work if your browser has NPAPI support.  In that case, to check the version, open a cmd window and enter the following (note the space following Java):  java -version

Critical Patch Updates

For Oracle Java SE Critical Patch Updates, the next scheduled dates are as follows:

• 20 October 2020 
• 19 January 2021 
• 13 April 2021 
• 20 July 2021

Unwanted "Extras"

Although most people do not need Java on their computer, there are some programs and games that require Java.  In the event you need to continue using Java, How-to Geek discovered a little-known and  publicized option in the Java Control Panel to suppress the offers for the pre-checked unwanted extras that Oracle has long included with the updates.  Although the Ask Toolbar has been removed, tha does not preclude the pre-checked option for some other unnecessary add-on.

Do the following to suppress the sponsor offers:

1. Launch the Windows Start menu
2. Click on Programs
3. Find the Java program listing
4. Click Configure Java to launch the Java Control Panel
5. Click the Advanced tab and go to the "Miscellaneous" section at the bottom.
6. Check the box by the “Suppress sponsor offers when installing or updating Java” option and click OK.

Java Security Recommendations

1)  In the Java Control Panel, at minimum, set the security to high.
2)  Keep Java disabled until needed.  Uncheck the box "Enable Java content in the browser" in the Java Control Panel.

3)  Instructions on removing older (and less secure) versions of Java can be found at http://java.com/en/download/faq/remove_olderversions.xml

References

• Java, The Never-Ending Saga  
• Critical Patch Updates and Security Alerts
• Oracle Java SE Risk Matrix 
• Oracle Quality Assurance Blog 

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Microsoft July 2020 Security Updates

The Microsoft July security updates have been released and consist of 123 CVEs.  Of these 123 CVEs, 18 are rated Critical and 105 are rated Important in severity.  None are listed as being under attack at the time of release.

The Windows 10 Release Notes include the following new information:

1.  IMPORTANT Starting in July 2020, we will resume non-security releases for Windows 10 and Windows Server, version 1809 and later. There is no change to the cumulative monthly security updates (also referred to as the "B" release or Update Tuesday release). For more information, see the blog post Resuming optional Windows 10 and Windows Server non-security monthly updates.  

2.  IMPORTANT Starting in July 2020, all Windows Updates will disable the RemoteFX vGPU feature because of a security vulnerability. For more information about the vulnerability, see CVE-2020-1036 and KB4570006. Once this feature is disabled, attempts to start virtual machines (VMs) will fail, and messages such as the following will appear:

• “The virtual machine cannot be started because all the RemoteFX-capable GPUs are disabled in Hyper-V Manager.”
• “The virtual machine cannot be started because the server has insufficient GPU resources.”

If you re-enable RemoteFX vGPU, a message similar to the following will appear:

• "We no longer support the RemoteFX 3D video adapter. If you are still using this adapter, you may become vulnerable to security risk.Learn more (Update to disable and remove the RemoteFX vGPU component in Windows)”

The updates apply to the following: Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Edge (EdgeHTML-based), Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) in IE Mode, Microsoft ChakraCore, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office Services and Web Apps, Windows Defender, Skype for Business, Visual Studio, Microsoft OneDrive, Open Source Software, .NET Framework and Azure DevOps. 
 

KB Article	Applies To
4558998	Windows 10 Version 1809, Windows Server 2019
4565483	Windows 10, version 1903, Windows Server version 1903, Windows 10, version 1909, Windows Server version 1909
4565511	Windows 10, version 1607, Windows Server 2016
4565524	Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 (Monthly Rollup)
4565529	Windows Server 2008 (Security-only update)
4565535	Windows Server 2012 (Security-only update)
4565536	Windows Server 2008 (Monthly Rollup)
4565537	Windows Server 2012 (Monthly Rollup)
4565539	Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 (Security-only update)
4565540	Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2 (Security-only update)
4565541	Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2 (Monthly Rollup)

Recommended Reading:  

See Dustin Childs review and analysis in Zero Day Initiative — The July Security Update Review.

For more information about the updates released today, see https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-us/security-guidance/summary.  Updates can be sorted by OS from the search box. Information about the update for Windows 10 is available at Windows 10 Update history.

Additional Update Notes:

• Adobe Flash Player -- For Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1 and Windows 10, Adobe Flash Player is now a security bulletin rather than a security advisory and is included with the updates as identified above. Note, however, that there are no Adobe Flash Player security updates for Active X.
• MSRT -- The Malicious Software Removal Tool is now run on a quarterly basis rather than monthly.  See Remove specific prevalent malware with Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool.
• Servicing Stack Updates -- A list of the latest servicing stack updates for each operating system can be found in ADV990001. This list will be updated whenever a new servicing stack update is released. It is important to install the latest servicing stack update. Learn more about SSU's in Servicing Stack Updates (SSU)
• Windows 10 updates are cumulative. The monthly security release includes all security fixes for vulnerabilities that affect Windows 10, in addition to non-security updates. The updates are also available via the Microsoft Update Catalog.
• For information on lifecycle and support dates for Windows 10 operating systems, please see Windows Lifecycle Facts Sheet.
• Windows Update History:
  • Windows 10
  • Windows 8.1

References

• Security Update FAQ
• July Security Updates Guide

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...