Microsoft Security Bulletin Release for July, 2016

Microsoft released eleven (11) bulletins.  Six (6) bulletins are identified as Critical and the remaining five (5) are rated Important in severity. 


The updates address vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office Services and Web Apps and Microsoft .NET Framework.

Addressed in the updates are Remote Code Execution, Information Disclosure and Security Feature Bypass.

Information about the update for Windows 10 is available at Windows 10 update history.

Critical:

• MS16-084 Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (3169991)
• MS16-085 Cumulative Security Update for Microsoft Edge (3169999) 
• MS16-086 Cumulative Security Update for JScript and VBScript (3169996)
• MS16-087 Security Update for Windows Print Spooler Components (3170005)
• MS16-088 Security Update for Microsoft Office (3170008)
• MS16-093 Security Update for Adobe Flash Player (3174060)

Important:

• MS16-089 Security Update for Windows Secure Kernel Mode (3170050)
• MS16-090  Security Update for Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers (3171481)
• MS16-091 Security Update for .NET Framework (3170048)
• MS16-092 Security Update for Windows Kernel (3171910)
• MS16-094 Security Update for Secure Boot (3177404)

Additional Update Notes

• Adobe Flash Player -- For Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 10 Version 1511, Adobe Flash Player is now a security bulletin rather than a security advisory and is included with the updates.
• 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. 
• Windows 8.x and Windows 10 -- Non-security new features and improvements for Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 are included with the updates.
• 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

• MSRC
• TechNet: Microsoft Security Bulletin for July 2016 
• 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 Reader and Acrobat Critical Update Released

Adobe has security updates for Adobe Reader and Acrobat XI for Windows and Macintosh. These updates address critical vulnerabilities that could potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system.

Release date: July 12, 2016

Vulnerability identifier: APSB16-26

CVE Numbers: CVE-2016-4189, CVE-2016-4190, CVE-2016-4191, CVE-2016-4192, CVE-2016-4193, CVE-2016-4194, CVE-2016-4195, CVE-2016-4196, CVE-2016-4197, CVE-2016-4198, CVE-2016-4199, CVE-2016-4200, CVE-2016-4201, CVE-2016-4202, CVE-2016-4203, CVE-2016-4204, CVE-2016-4205, CVE-2016-4206, CVE-2016-4207, CVE-2016-4208, CVE-2016-4209, CVE-2016-4210, CVE-2016-4211, CVE-2016-4212, CVE-2016-4213, CVE-2016-4214, CVE-2016-4215, CVE-2016-4250, CVE-2016-4251, CVE-2016-4252

Platform: Windows and Macintosh

Update or Complete Download

Update checks can be manually activated by choosing Help > Check for Updates.

• Adobe Reader XI (11.0.17, Pro and Standard) for Windows is available here: https://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=6062. 
• Reader DC and other versions are available here:  https://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=10&platform=Windows 
• Acrobat for Windows update 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.

End of Support:  Adobe Acrobat X and Adobe Reader 

Adobe Acrobat X and Adobe Reader X are no longer supported (see here). Adobe recommends Adobe Acrobat DC (FAQ) and Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (FAQ).  However, another alternate is available to replace Adobe Reader 

If you are still using Windows XP and have Adobe Reader installed, please note that there will be no additional security updates for it.  I suggest uninstalling it and install an alternate reader.  Personally, I like Sumatra PDF.  It isn't a target and doesn't include unwanted extras with the install or updates.  

Enable "Protected View"

Due to frequent vulnerabilities, it is recommended that Windows users of Adobe Reader and Acrobat ensure that Protected View is enabled.  Neither the Protected Mode or Protected View option is available for Macintosh users.

To enable this setting, do the following:

• Click Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) menu. 
• Change the "Off" setting to "All Files".
• Ensure the "Enable Enhanced Security" box is checked. 

Image via Sophos Naked Security Blog

References

• PSIRT
• Release Notes | Acrobat, Reader
• 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...

Adobe Flash Player Critical Security Update

Adobe has released Version 22.0.0.209 of Adobe Flash Player for Microsoft Windows, Macintosh and Chrome as well as Version 11.2.202.632 for Linux.  The Extended Support Release for Windows and Macintosh was updated to Version 18.0.0.366. 

The updates are to address important bug fixes and critical vulnerabilities that could potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system.

Release date: July 12, 2016
Vulnerability identifier: APSB16-25
CVE number: CVE-2016-4172, CVE-2016-4173, CVE-2016-4174, CVE-2016-4175, CVE-2016-4176, CVE-2016-4177, CVE-2016-4178, CVE-2016-4179, CVE-2016-4180, CVE-2016-4181, CVE-2016-4182, CVE-2016-4183, CVE-2016-4184, CVE-2016-4185, CVE-2016-4186, CVE-2016-4187, CVE-2016-4188, CVE-2016-4189, CVE-2016-4190, CVE-2016-4217, CVE-2016-4218, CVE-2016-4219, CVE-2016-4220, CVE-2016-4221, CVE-2016-4222, CVE-2016-4223, CVE-2016-4224, CVE-2016-4225, CVE-2016-4226, CVE-2016-4227, CVE-2016-4228, CVE-2016-4229, CVE-2016-4230, CVE-2016-4231, CVE-2016-4232, CVE-2016-4233, CVE-2016-4234, CVE-2016-4235, CVE-2016-4236, CVE-2016-4237, CVE-2016-4238, CVE-2016-4239, CVE-2016-4240, CVE-2016-4241, CVE-2016-4242, CVE-2016-4243, CVE-2016-4244, CVE-2016-4245, CVE-2016-4246, CVE-2016-4247, CVE-2016-4248, CVE-2016-42494171
Platform: Windows, Macintosh, Linux and Chrome OS

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_22_plugin.exe
• Flash Player For Internet Explorer, Windows 7 and earlier:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_22_active_x.exe
• Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge:  Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 10 Version 1511: Adobe Flash Player is now a security bulletin rather than a security advisory and is distributed via the normal Windows Update channel.
  
• 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 
• Release Notes:  Flash Player® 22 AIR® 22
• 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...