Adobe Flash Player and AIR Critical Security Update

Adobe is aware of a report that an exploit for CVE-2015-8651 is being used in limited, targeted attacks and has released an out-of-band critical security update for all versions. It is recommended that this update be installed as soon as possible.

Adobe has released Version 20.0.0.267 for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh.  The Extended Release Version was incremented to Version 18.0.0.324 with this update.

For those who use Adobe AIR, it has been updated to version 20.0.0.233.  The update is available here: https://get.adobe.com/air/

Release date: December 28, 2015
Vulnerability identifier: APSB16-01
CVE number: CVE-2015-8459, CVE-2015-8460, CVE-2015-8634, CVE-2015-8635, CVE-2015-8636, CVE-2015-8638, CVE-2015-8639, CVE-2015-8640, CVE-2015-8641, CVE-2015-8642, CVE-2015-8643, CVE-2015-8644, CVE-2015-8645, CVE-2015-8646, CVE-2015-8647, CVE-2015-8648, CVE-2015-8649, CVE-2015-8650, CVE-2015-8651
Platform: All Platforms

• Users of the Adobe Flash Player desktop runtime for Windows and Macintosh should update to Adobe Flash Player 20.0.0.267.
• Users of the Adobe Flash Player Extended Support Release should update to Adobe Flash Player 18.0.0.324.
• Users of Adobe Flash Player for Linux should update to Adobe Flash Player 11.2.202.559.
• Adobe Flash Player installed with Google Chrome, as well as Internet Explorer on Windows 8.x and Windows 10, will automatically update to the current version.

Flash Player Update Instructions

It is recommended that you either use the auto-update mechanism within the product when prompted or the direct download links.  The problem with the auto-update mechanism is that it can take a few days to finally provide the update and up to a week if using the "Notify me to install updates" setting.

Flash Player Auto-Update

The update settings for Flash Player versions 10.3 and above can found in the Advanced tab of the Flash Player Settings Manager.  The locations are as follows:

• Windows: click Start > Settings > Control Panel > Flash Player
• Macintosh: System Preferences (under Other) click Flash Player
• Linux Gnome: System > Preferences > Adobe Flash Player
• Linux KDE: System Settings > Adobe Flash Player

Also note that the Flash Player Settings Manager is where to manage local settings.

Flash Player Direct Download Links

Warning:  Although Adobe suggests downloading the update from the Adobe Flash Player Download Center, that link includes a pre-checked option to install unnecessary extras, such as McAfee Scan Plus or Google Drive.  If you use the download center, uncheck any unnecessary extras.

• Non-IE Plugin (Opera, Firefox, Etc.):  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_20_plugin.exe
   
• Flash Player For Internet Explorer, Windows 7 and earlier:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_20_active_x.exe
  
  Internet Explorer, Windows 8 and above: Microsoft updated Security Advisory 2755801.  If you do not have Automatic Updates enabled, the Flash Player update can be downloaded from Microsoft Security Advisory: Update for Vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash Player in Internet Explorer 10: July 9, 2013.
  
  
• Flash Player Uninstaller:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/support/uninstall_flash_player.exe
• Adobe AIR:  http://get.adobe.com/air/

Notes:

• If you use the Adobe Flash Player Download Center, be careful to uncheck any optional downloads that you do not want.  Any pre-checked option is not needed for the Flash Player update.
• Uncheck any toolbar offered with Adobe products if not wanted.
• If you use alternate browsers, it is necessary to install the update for both Internet Explorer as well as the update for alternate browsers.
• The separate 32-bit and 64-bit uninstallers have been replaced with a single uninstaller.

Verify Installation

To verify the Adobe Flash Player version number installed on your computer, go to the About Flash Player page, or right-click on content running in Flash Player and select "About Adobe Flash Player" from the menu. 

Do this for each browser installed on your computer.

To verify the version of Adobe Flash Player for Android, go to Settings > Applications > Manage Applications > Adobe Flash Player x.x.

References

• Adobe Priority Ratings
• AIR Download Center 
• Security Bulletin: Security Bulletin
• Release Notes:  Flash Player® 20 AIR® 20
• PSIRT

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

Merry Christmas

Below is something I put together a few years ago illustrating Ukrainian Christmas Eve.  My Ukrainian-born husband loved the traditions. The background music was his favorite Christmas carol, Shchedryk (Carol of the Bells).

Wishing family and friends a Merry Christmas

Khristos Razhdayestsya

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

Firefox Version 43.0 Released with Critical Security Updates

Mozilla sent Firefox Version 43.0 to the release channel.  The update includes four (4) critical, seven (7) high, three (3) moderate and two (2) low security updates.

Version 38.5.0 was released for Firefox ESR.

Fixed in Firefox 43

• 2015-149 Cross-site reading attack through data and view-source URIs
• 2015-148 Privilege scalation vulnerabilities in WebExtension APIs
• 2015-147 Integer underflow and buffer overflow processing MP4 metadata in libstagefright
• 2015-146 Integer overflow in MP4 playback in 64-bit versions
• 2015-145 Underflow through code inspection
• 2015-144 Buffer overflows found through code inspection
• 2015-143 Linux file chooser crashes on malformed images due to flaws in Jasper library
• 2015-142 DOS due to malformed frames in HTTP/2
• 2015-141 Hash in data URI is incorrectly parsed
• 2015-140 Cross-origin information leak through web workers error events
• 2015-139 Integer overflow allocating extremely large textures
• 2015-138 Use-after-free in WebRTC when datachannel is used after being destroyed
• 2015-137 Firefox allows for control characters to be set in cookies
• 2015-136 Same-origin policy violation using perfomance.getEntries and history navigation
• 2015-135 Crash with JavaScript variable assignment with unboxed objects
• 2015-134 Miscellaneous memory safety hazards (rv:43.0 / rv:38.5)

What’s New

• New -- Private Browsing with Tracking Protection offers choice of blocking additional trackers
  
• New -- Firefox 64-bit for Windows is now available via the Firefox download page
  
• New -- Improved API support for m4v video playback
  
• New -- Users can choose search suggestions from the Awesome Bar
  
• New -- On-screen keyboard displayed on selecting input field on devices running Windows 8 or greater
  
• New
  -- Firefox Health Report has switched to use the same data collection mechanism as telemetry
• Fixed -- Various security fixes
  
• Fixed -- Eyedropper tool does not work as expected when page is zoomed
  

Update

To get the update now, select "Help" from the Firefox menu at the upper left of the browser window, then pick "About Firefox."  Mac users need to select "About Firefox" from the Firefox menu. If you do not use the English language version, Fully Localized Versions are available for download.

References

• Common questions after updating Firefox
• Security Updates
• Mozilla Firefox Release Notes
• Bug Fixes 

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

Microsoft Security Bulletin Release for December, 2015

Microsoft released twelve (12) bulletins.  Eight (8) bulletins are identified as Critical and the remaining four (4) are rated Important in severity.

The updates address vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Microsoft .NET Framework, Microsoft Office, Skype for Business, Microsoft Lync Silverlight and Microsoft Silverlight.

Details about the CVEs can be found in the below-referenced TechNet Security Bulletin.  If you are prioritizing updates, the most critical is MS15-0131.

Also released today is Microsoft Security Advisory 3123040 which revokes a certificate for *.xboxlive.com where private keys were disclosed.

Critical:

• MS15-124 Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (3116180
• MS15-125 Cumulative Security Update for Microsoft Edge (3116184) 
• MS15-126 Cumulative Security Update for JScript and VBScript to Address Remote Code Execution (3116178) 
• MS15-127 Security Update for Microsoft Windows DNS to Address Remote Code Execution (3100465)
• MS15-128 Security Update for Microsoft Graphics Component to Address Remote Code Execution (3104503)
• MS15-129 Security Update for Silverlight to Address Remote Code Execution (3106614)
• MS15-130 Security Update for Microsoft Uniscribe to Address Remote Code Execution (3108670)
• MS15-131 Security Update for Microsoft Office to Address Remote Code Execution (3116111)

Important:

• MS15-132 Security Update for Microsoft Windows to Address Remote Code Execution (3116162) 
• MS15-133 Security Update for Windows PGM to Address Elevation of Privilege (3116130
• MS15-134 Security Update for Windows Media Center to Address Remote Code Execution (3108669)
• MS15-135 Security Update for Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers to Address Elevation of Privilege (3119075)

Additional Update Notes

• MSRT -- Microsoft released an updated version of the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool on Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Windows Server Update Services, and the Download Center. The updated version includes detection for the Blakamba, Brambul, Diplugem, Drixed, Escad, Joanap and Tescrypt.
• Windows 8.x and Windows 10 -- Non-security new features and improvements for Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 are included with the updates.
  

References

• MSRC
• TechNet: Microsoft Security Bulletin for December 2015 

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

Adobe Flash Player and AIR Critical Security Updates

Adobe has released Version two versions of Adobe Flash Player for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh, Version 20.0.0.228 for IE and Version 20.0.0.235 for plug-in based browsers.  The Extended Release Version was incremented to Version 18.0.0.268 with this update.

For those who use Adobe AIR, it has been updated to version  20.0.0.204.  The update is available here: https://get.adobe.com/air/

These updates address critical vulnerabilities that are actively being exploited. It is strongly advised that the updates be applied as soon as possible. Details of the vulnerabilities are included in the below-referenced Security Bulletin. 

As illustrated in the incredibly long list of CVE's, many vulnerabilities exist in unpatched versions of Flash Player.  It is recommended that date be installed as soon as possible.

Release date: December 8, 2015
Vulnerability identifier: APSB15-32

CVE number: CVE-2015-8045, CVE-2015-8047, CVE-2015-8048, CVE-2015-8049, CVE-2015-8050, CVE-2015-8051, CVE-2015-8052, CVE-2015-8053, CVE-2015-8054, CVE-2015-8055, CVE-2015-8056, CVE-2015-8057, CVE-2015-8058, CVE-2015-8059, CVE-2015-8060, CVE-2015-8061, CVE-2015-8062, CVE-2015-8063, CVE-2015-8064, CVE-2015-8065, CVE-2015-8066, CVE-2015-8067, CVE-2015-8068, CVE-2015-8069, CVE-2015-8070, CVE-2015-8071, CVE-2015-8401, CVE-2015-8402, CVE-2015-8403, CVE-2015-8404, CVE-2015-8405, CVE-2015-8406, CVE-2015-8407, CVE-2015-8408, CVE-2015-8409, CVE-2015-8410, CVE-2015-8411, CVE-2015-8412, CVE-2015-8413, CVE-2015-8414, CVE-2015-8415, CVE-2015-8416, CVE-2015-8417, CVE-2015-8419, CVE-2015-8420, CVE-2015-8421, CVE-2015-8422, CVE-2015-8423, CVE-2015-8424, CVE-2015-8425, CVE-2015-8426, CVE-2015-8427, CVE-2015-8428, CVE-2015-8429, CVE-2015-8430, CVE-2015-8431, CVE-2015-8432, CVE-2015-8433, CVE-2015-8434, CVE-2015-8435, CVE-2015-8436, CVE-2015-8437, CVE-2015-8438, CVE-2015-8439, CVE-2015-8440, CVE-2015-8441, CVE-2015-8442, CVE-2015-8443, CVE-2015-8444, CVE-2015-8445, CVE-2015-8446, CVE-2015-8447, CVE-2015-8448, CVE-2015-8449, CVE-2015-8450, CVE-2015-8451, CVE-2015-8452, CVE-2015-8453

Platform: All Platforms

• Users of the Adobe Flash Player desktop runtime for Windows and Macintosh should update to Adobe Flash Player 20.0.0.228 for IE and 20.0.0.235 for plug-in based browsers. 
• Users of the Adobe Flash Player Extended Support Release should update to Adobe Flash Player 18.0.0.268.
• Users of Adobe Flash Player for Linux should update to Adobe Flash Player 11.2.202.554.
• Adobe Flash Player installed with Google Chrome, as well as Internet Explorer on Windows 8.x and Windows 10, will automatically update to the current version.

Flash Player Update Instructions

It is recommended that you either use the auto-update mechanism within the product when prompted or the direct download links.  The problem with the auto-update mechanism is that it can take a few days to finally provide the update and up to a week if using the "Notify me to install updates" setting.

Flash Player Auto-Update

The update settings for Flash Player versions 10.3 and above can found in the Advanced tab of the Flash Player Settings Manager.  The locations are as follows:

• Windows: click Start > Settings > Control Panel > Flash Player
• Macintosh: System Preferences (under Other) click Flash Player
• Linux Gnome: System > Preferences > Adobe Flash Player
• Linux KDE: System Settings > Adobe Flash Player

Also note that the Flash Player Settings Manager is where to manage local settings.

Flash Player Direct Download Links

Warning:  Although Adobe suggests downloading the update from the Adobe Flash Player Download Center, that link includes a pre-checked option to install unnecessary extras, such as McAfee Scan Plus or Google Drive.  If you use the download center, uncheck any unnecessary extras.

• Non-IE Plugin (Opera, Firefox, Etc.):  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_20_plugin.exe
   
• Flash Player For Internet Explorer, Windows 7 and earlier:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_20_active_x.exe
  
  Internet Explorer, Windows 8 and above: Microsoft updated Security Advisory 2755801.  If you do not have Automatic Updates enabled, the Flash Player update can be downloaded from Microsoft Security Advisory: Update for Vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash Player in Internet Explorer 10: July 9, 2013.
  
  
• Flash Player Uninstaller:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/support/uninstall_flash_player.exe
• Adobe AIR:  http://get.adobe.com/air/

Notes:

• If you use the Adobe Flash Player Download Center, be careful to uncheck any optional downloads that you do not want.  Any pre-checked option is not needed for the Flash Player update.
• Uncheck any toolbar offered with Adobe products if not wanted.
• If you use alternate browsers, it is necessary to install the update for both Internet Explorer as well as the update for alternate browsers.
• The separate 32-bit and 64-bit uninstallers have been replaced with a single uninstaller.

Verify Installation

To verify the Adobe Flash Player version number installed on your computer, go to the About Flash Player page, or right-click on content running in Flash Player and select "About Adobe Flash Player" from the menu. 

Do this for each browser installed on your computer.

To verify the version of Adobe Flash Player for Android, go to Settings > Applications > Manage Applications > Adobe Flash Player x.x.

References

• Adobe Priority Ratings
• AIR Download Center 
• Security Bulletin: Security Bulletin
• Release Notes:  Flash Player® 20 AIR® 20
• PSIRT

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