Adobe Flash Player Critical Security Update

Adobe has released security updates for Adobe Flash Player 14.0.0.176 and earlier versions for Windows and Macintosh and Adobe Flash Player 11.2.202.400 and earlier versions for Linux.

These updates address vulnerabilities that could potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system.  The updates to Flash Player are rated Critical.

Internet Explorer in Windows 8x systems will be updated via Windows Update.  Windows RT must obtain the update from Windows Update.  Google Chrome will be automatically updated.

Note:  For those expecting Adobe Reader to be updated today, the update has been delayed.  See the PSIRT blog post.

Update Information

The newest versions are as follows:

ActiveX for IE and Macintosh version:  15.0.0.152
Plugin:  15.0.0.152
Linux: 11.2.202.406

Users of Adobe AIR 14.0.0.178 and earlier versions for Windows and Macintosh should update to the Adobe AIR 15.0.0.252.

Release date: September 9, 2014
Vulnerability identifier: APSB14-21
CVE number: CVE-2014-0547, CVE-2014-0548, CVE-2014-0549, CVE-2014-0550, CVE-2014-0551, CVE-2014-0552, CVE-2014-0553, CVE-2014-0554, CVE-2014-0555, CVE-2014-0556, CVE-2014-0557, CVE-2014-0559
Platform: All Platforms

Flash Player Update Instructions

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.

It is recommended that you either use the auto-update mechanism within the product when prompted, or my preference, the direct download links.

• Non-IE Plugin (Opera, Firefox, Etc.):  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_15_plugin.exe
   
• Flash Player For Internet Explorer, Windows 7 and earlier:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_15_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.
• Users of the Adobe Flash Player Extended Support Release should update to Adobe Flash Player 13.0.0.244.

Adobe Flash Player for Android

The latest version for Adobe Flash Player for Android is available by downloading it from the Android Marketplace by browsing to it on a mobile phone.   

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: APSB14-21
• Release Notes:  Flash Player® 15 AIR® 15

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 Advance Notice for September, 2014

On Tuesday, September 9, 2014, Microsoft is planning to release four (4) bulletins.  One bulletin is identified as Critical with the remaining three as Important.

The updates address vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, .NET Framework and Lync.

Outdated ActiveX Controls

It is expected that the postponed addition to Internet Explorer in which outdated ActiveX controls will be blocked will be included in the update.  Unfortunately, this will not apply to IE on Windows Vista, so those people with Oracle Java installed will need to continue carefully monitoring the Java install on their computer.

The supported configurations in which the out-of-date ActiveX control blocking feature will work with are the following:

• Windows 7 SP1, Internet Explorer 8 through Internet Explorer 11
• Windows 8 and up, Internet Explorer for the desktop
• All Security Zones—such as the Internet Zone—but not the Local Intranet Zone and the Trusted Sites Zone

Additional details are available in the IE Blog post referenced below.

Reminder

As has been widely publicized, support ended for Windows XP and Office 2003 on April 8, 2014.  See Tim Rains article, The Risk of Running Windows XP After Support Ends April 2014. Note also that Microsoft Security Essentials will no longer be available for download for Windows XP.

As happens each month, Microsoft will also release an updated version of the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool on Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Windows Server Update Services, and the Download Center.

References

• MSRC:   Advance Notification Service for the September 2014 Security Bulletin Release
• TechNet: Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification for September 2014 
• IE Blog: Internet Explorer begins blocking out-of-date ActiveX controls

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

Mozilla Firefox 32.0 Released

Mozilla sent Firefox Version 32.0 to the release channel.  The update includes three (3) Critical, one (1) High and one (1) Moderate security updates.

Finally fixed is the text rendering issue that was introduced with version 29.1.  Information about the addition of Public Key Pining is available in this Mozilla post, Firefox 32 supports Public Key Pinning.

Fixed in Firefox 32

• MFSA 2014-72 Use-after-free setting text directionality
• MFSA 2014-71 Profile directory file access through file: protocol
• MFSA2014-70 Out-of-bounds read in Web Audio audio timeline
• MFSA 2014-69 Uninitialized memory use during GIF rendering
• MFSA 2014-68 Use-after-free during DOM interactions with SVG
• MFSA 2014-67 Miscellaneous memory safety hazards (rv:32.0 / rv:31.1 / rv:24

What’s New

• New -- New HTTP cache provides improved performance including crash recovery
  
• New -- Integration of generational garbage collection
  
• New -- Public key pinning support enabled
  
• New -- Display the number of found items in the find toolbar
  
• New -- Lower Sorbian [dsb] locale added
  
• New -- Easier back, forward, reload, and bookmarking through the context menu
  
• New -- View historical use information for logins stored in password manager
  
• Changed -- Removed and turned off trust bit for some 1024-bit root certificates
  
• Changed -- Performance improvements to Password Manager and Add-on Manager
  
• Fixed -- Mac OS X: cmd-L does not open a new window when no window is available
  
• Fixed -- Text Rendering Issues on Windows 7 with Platform Update KB2670838 (MSIE 10 Prerequisite) or on Windows 8.1
  

Known Issues

• unresolved -- Assistive technologies may cause performance issues on Windows XP
  

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...