Microsoft Security Updates for October, 2017

The October security release consists of 62 security updates for the following software in which 27 are listed as Critical and 35 are rated Important. In particular, note that one CVE in Microsoft Office is listed as under active attack, and two other CVEs are listed as publically known prior to release.

• Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Edge
• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office Services and Web Apps
• Skype for Business and Lync
• Chakra Core

Known Issues

• 4041691
• 4042895
• 4041676
• 4041681

The updates address Remote Code Execution, Information Disclosure, "Defense in Depth",Security Feature Bypass and Elevation of Privilege. Note:  "Defense-in-Depth" is a fix that does not apply to an actively exploitable vulnerability but prevents future vulnerabilities caused by the same code when surrounding code changes expose the problem.  In addition, Windows 10 1511 support ends today.

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.

CVEs addressed by Microsoft this month that deserve extra attention are discussed in Zero Day Initiative — The October 2017 Security Update Review by Dustin Childs.

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.
• 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. 
  Note:  Users who are paranoid about the remote possibility of a FP can opt to run this tool from a Command Prompt, appending a   /N   parameter [for "detect only" mode].
• Windows 10 -- A summary of important product developments included in each update, with links to more details is available at Windows 10 Update History. The page will be regularly refreshed, as new updates are released.

References

• Release Notes
• Security Update FAQ
• Security Updates Guide
• Windows 10 Update History

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