Cumulative Updates Released for Windows 10

Cumulative updates have been released by Microsoft for Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803), Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709), and Windows 10 Creators Update (version 1703).

• Version 1803:  July 24, 2018—KB4340917 (OS Build 17134.191)
• Version 1709:  July 24, 2018—KB4338817 (OS Build 16299.579)
• Version 1703:  July 24, 2018—KB4338827 (OS Build 15063.1235)

See the update appropriate for your version of Windows 10 for the Improvements and fixes as well as Known Issues.

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

Oracle Java Critical Security Update

Oracle released the scheduled critical security updates for its Java SE Runtime Environment software.  The critical patch update contains 8 new security fixes 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 8u181

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/8u181-relnotes-4479407.html
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jre8-downloads-2133155.html

Java SE 10.0.2  (x64-bit only)

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/10-0-2-relnotes-4477557.html
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jre10-downloads-4417026.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:

• 16 October 2018
• 15 January 2019
• 16 April 2019 
• 16 July 2019

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  unpublicized 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...

Windows 10 Cumulative Updates Released

Microsoft released new cumulative updates for the Windows 10 Version 1703 and Version 1803 to introduce a series of quality improvements.  No new operating system features are being introduced in this update. A restart is needed to install the update.

Version 1803: July 16, 2018—KB4345421 (OS Build 17134.167)
Version 1703: July 16, 2018—KB4345420 (OS Build 16299.550)

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

Pale Moon Version 27.9.4 Released

Pale Moon has been updated to version 27.9.4. The release includes DiD ("Defense-in-Depth") changes.  This means that a fix does not apply to a (potentially) actively exploitable vulnerability in Pale Moon, but prevents future vulnerabilities caused by the same code, e.g. when surrounding code changes, exposing the problem, or when new attack vectors are discovered.

From the Release Notes:

Changes/fixes:

• Updated the useragent for addons.mozilla.org to work around their "Only with Firefox" discrimination preventing users from downloading themes, old versions of extensions, and other files with Pale Moon.
• Restricted web access to the moz-icon:// scheme that could potentially be abused to infringe the user's privacy.
• Prevented various location-based threats. DiD
• Fixed a potential vulnerability with plugins being redirected to different origins (CVE-2018-12364).
• Improved the security check for launching executable files (by association) on Windows from the browser. For users who have (most likely accidentally) granted a system-wide waiver for opening these kinds of files without being prompted, this permission has been reset.
• Fixed an issue with invalid qcms transforms (CVE-2018-12366).
• Fixed a buffer overflow using the computed size of canvas elements (CVE-2018-12359).
• Fixed a use-after-free when using focus() (CVE-2018-12360).
• Added some sanity checks on nsMozIconURI. DiD
• Fixed an issue in the case the preferences file in the profile would not be writable (e.g. temporary permission issues due to backup, virus scanning or similar external processes).

 Minimum system Requirements (Windows):

• Windows 7/8/10/Server 2008 or later
• A processor with SSE2 instruction support
  
• 256 MB of free RAM (512 MB or more recommended)
  
• At least 150 MB of free (uncompressed) disk space

Pale Moon includes both 32- and 64-bit versions for Windows:

• 32x:  Pale Moon - x32 builds
• 64x:  Pale Moon - x64 builds

Update

To get the update now, select "Help" from the Pale Moon menu at the upper left of the browser window.  Select About Pale Moon > Check for Updates.

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 July, 2018

The July security release consists of 53 CVEs, of which 18 are listed as Critical and 33 are rated Important, 1 is rated as Moderate and 1 is rated as Low in severity.

The updates address Remote Code Execution, Security Feature Bypass, Elevation of Privilege, Denial of Service, Tampering, Information Disclosure, and Spoofing with known issues for 4338825 and 4338818.

The release consists of security updates for the following software:  Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office, Services and Web Apps, ChakraCore, Adobe Flash Player, .NET Framework, ASP.NET, Microsoft Research JavaScript Cryptography Library, Skype for Business and Microsoft Lync, Visual Studio, Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter V2 Software, PowerShell Editor Services, PowerShell Extension for Visual Studio Code, and Web Customizations for Active Directory Federation Services.


Recommended Reading: 

Even though on vacation, Dustin Childs dedicated time to provide a closer look at some of the patches for this month in Zero Day Initiative — The July 2018 Security Update Review.  Although he indicated "None of the bugs patched this month are listed as publicly known or under active attack at the time of release." his evaluation is definitely appreciated.

More:  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.
• 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

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 Security Update Released

Adobe has released Version 30.0.0.134 of Adobe Flash Player.  In addition to functional issues, the update address critical vulnerabilities that could lead to remote code execution affecting version 30.0.0.113 and earlier.

Release date:  July 10, 2018
Vulnerability identifier: APSB18-24
Platform:  Windows, Macintosh, Linux and Chrome OS
 

Vulnerability details

Vulnerability Category	Vulnerability Impact	Severity	CVE Number
Out-of-bounds read	Information Disclosure	Important	CVE-2018-5008
Type Confusion	Arbitrary Code Execution	Critical	CVE-2018-5007

Update:

• With the option to 'Allow Adobe to install updates', the update will be automatic. Without that setting enabled, either install the update via the update mechanism when prompted or via the Download Center*.
• Windows 7 and earlier:  Installation links for Windows 7 and earlier are provided by Adobe at Installation problems | Flash Player | Windows 7 and earlier: 
• Flash Player for Internet Explorer - ActiveX 
• Flash Player for Firefox/Pale Moon - NPAPI
• Flash Player for Opera and Chromium-based browsers - PPAPI
• Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 11:  Adobe Flash Player will be automatically updated to the latest version for Windows 8.1 and 10.
• Google Chrome:  Adobe Flash Player will be automatically updated to the latest Google Chrome version.
• Flash Player Uninstaller:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/support/uninstall_flash_player.exe
• Adobe AIR:  Adobe - Adobe AIR

*Important Note:  Downloading the update from the Adobe Flash Player Download Center 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 that you do not want.  They are not needed for the Flash Player update.

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 
• Installing and Updating Flash Player - FAQ
• Release Notes:  Flash Player® 30 AIR® 30
• Security Bulletin
• PSIRT

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

Adobe Reader and Acrobat Critical Security Updates

Adobe has released security updates for Adobe Reader DC and Adobe Acrobat DC for Windows and Macintosh.  These updates are rated as critical and important.  Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user.

Release date:  July 10, 2018
Vulnerability identifier: APSB18-21
Platform: Windows and Macintosh

Update or Complete Download

Reader DC and Acrobat DC were updated to version 2018.011.20055. Update checks can be manually activated by choosing Help > Check for Updates. 

• Reader DC and other versions are available here:  https://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=10&platform=Windows 
• Acrobat DC for Windows is available here:  http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=1&platform=Windows  

Note: UNcheck any pre-checked additional options presented with the update. They are not part of the software update and are completely optional.

References

• PSIRT
• Security Bulletin
• System Requirements

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

Mozillia Firefox Version 61.0.1 Released

Mozilla sent Firefox Version 61.0.1 to the release channel today.  It does not appear that Firefox ESR has been updated.

Fixes

• Fixed broken website loading for Chinese users with accessibility enabled (Bug 1471824)
• Fix missing content on the New Tab Page and the Home section of the Preferences page (Bug 1471375)
• Fixed loss of bookmarks under rare circumstances when upgrading from Firefox 60 (Bug 1472127)
• Improved playback of Twitch 1080p video streams (Bug 1469257)
• Web pages no longer lose focus when a browser popup window is opened (Bug 1471415)
• Fixed launching of downloads without a file extension on Windows (Bug 1465458)
• Re-allowed downloading files from FTP sites via the "Save Link As" option when linked from HTTP pages (Bug 1470295)
• Fixed extensions being unable to override the default homepage in certain situations (Bug 1466846)

Update:  To get the update now, select "Help" from the Firefox menu, 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
• 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...

Windows Insider MVP! #WIMVP

What a nice way to start the day!

Dear Corrine:

Congratulations! Thank you for your continued contributions to the Windows community, we are excited to re-award you as a Windows Insider MVP. This award is a token of our appreciation, your leadership and passion help make Windows the best yet. We look forward to our on-going collaboration with you and all of our Windows Insider MVPs as we continue to strengthen the Windows Insider MVP (WI MVP) Program.

References:

• Windows Insider MVPs
• Windows Insider Program
  

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