Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR Critical Security Update

Adobe has released Version 19.0.0.185 of Adobe Flash Player for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh.  The Extended Release Version was incremented to Version 18.0.0.241 with this update.

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.

Release date: September 21, 2015

Vulnerability identifier: APSB15-23


CVE number: CVE-2015-5567, CVE-2015-5568, CVE-2015-5570, CVE-2015-5571, CVE-2015-5572, CVE-2015-5573, CVE-2015-5574, CVE-2015-5575, CVE-2015-5576, CVE-2015-5577, CVE-2015-5578, CVE-2015-5579, CVE-2015-5580, CVE-2015-5581, CVE-2015-5582, CVE-2015-5584, CVE-2015-5587, CVE-2015-5588, CVE-2015-6676, CVE-2015-6677, CVE-2015-6678, CVE-2015-6679, CVE-2015-6682
Platform:  All Platforms

• Users of the Adobe Flash Player desktop runtime for Windows and Macintosh should update to Adobe Flash Player 19.0.0.185. 
• Users of the Adobe Flash Player Extended Support Release should update to Adobe Flash Player 18.0.0.241.
• Users of Adobe Flash Player for Linux should update to Adobe Flash Player 11.2.202.521.
• 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_19_plugin.exe
   
• Flash Player For Internet Explorer, Windows 7 and earlier:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_19_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® 19 AIR® 19

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 September, 2015

Microsoft released twelve (12) bulletins.  Five (5) bulletins are identified as Critical and the remaining seven (7) are rated Important in severity.

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

Details about the CVEs can be found in the below-referenced TechNet Security Bulletin.

Update:  You won't want to miss the new Monthly Patch Review by Dustin Childs.

Critical:

• MS15-094 -- Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (3089548) 
• MS15-095 -- Cumulative Security Update for Microsoft Edge (3089665) 
• MS15-097 --Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Graphics Component  Could Allow Remote Code Execution (3089656) 
• MS15-098 -- Vulnerabilities in Windows Journal Could Allow Remote Code Execution (3089669)  
• MS15-099 -- Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Could Allow Remote Code Execution (3089664)  

Important:

• MS15-096 -- Vulnerability in Active Directory Service Could Allow Denial of Service (3072595)
• MS15-100 -- Vulnerability in Windows Media Center Could Allow Remote Code Execution (3087918) 
• MS15-101 -- Vulnerabilities in .NET Framework Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (3089662) 
• MS15-102 -- Vulnerabilities in Windows Task Management Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (3089657) 
• MS15-103 -- Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server Could Allow Information Disclosure (3089250) 
• MS15-104 -- Vulnerabilities in Skype for Business Server and Lync Server Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (3089952) 
• MS15-105 -- Vulnerability in Windows Hyper-V Could Allow Security Feature Bypass (3091287) 

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 prevalent ransomware family Win32/Teerac. Details are available in the MMPC Blog Post.
  
• 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 September 2015 

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

Adobe Shockvare Player Critical Security Update

Adobe has released a critical security update for Adobe Shockwave Player which addresses vulnerabilities that could potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system.


Although I have yet to need Shockwave Player on this computer, there are still many people who use it.  If you have Shockwave Player installed, please update to the latest version.

Release date: September 8, 2015
Vulnerability identifier: APSB15-22

CVE number: CVE-2015-6680, CVE-2015-6681
Platform: Windows

The newest version 12.2.0.162 is available here: http://get.adobe.com/shockwave/.  As usual, watch for any pre-checked add-ons not needed for the update.

References

• Adobe Priority Ratings
• PSIRT Blog
• Security Bulletin
  

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