Microsoft January 2021 Security Updates

The Microsoft January 2021 security updates have been released and consist of 83 CVEs.  Of these 83 CVEs, 10 are rated Critical and 73 are rated Important in severity.  At the time of release, CVE-2021-1648 is publicly known and CVE-2021-1647 is known to be actively exploited.

The updates apply to the following:  Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Edge (EdgeHTML-based), Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office Services and Web Apps, Microsoft Windows Codecs Library, Visual Studio, SQL Server, Microsoft Malware Protection Engine, NET Core, .NET Repository, ASP .NET, and Azure.

If you are using Windows Update, the latest SSU (KB4598481) will be offered to you automatically. To get the standalone package for the latest SSU, search for it in the Microsoft Update Catalog.  For information about Servicing Stack updates see Servicing Stack Updates (SSU).

The KBs listed below contain information about known issues with the security updates.

KB Article	Applies To
4598229	Windows 10, Version 1903, Windows Server, Version 1903, Windows 10, Version 1909, Windows Server, Version 1909
4598230	Windows 10, Version 1809, Windows Server 2019
4598242	Windows 10, Version 2004, Windows Server, Version 2004, Windows 10, Version 20H2, Windows Server, Version 20H2
4598275	Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2 (Security-only update)
4598278	Windows Server 2012 (Monthly Rollup)
4598279	Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 (Monthly Rollup)
4598285	Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2 (Monthly Rollup)
4598287	Windows Server 2008 (Security-only update)
4598288	Windows Server 2008 (Monthly Rollup)
4598289	Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 (Security-only update)
4598297	Windows Server 2012 (Security-only update)

 Recommended Reading:   

See Dustin Childs review and analysis in Zero Day Initiative -- The January 2021 Security Update Revuew.

For more information about the updates released today, see the Security Update Guide.

REMINDER:  Adobe Flash Player is out of support.  For more information, see Adobe Flash end of support on December 31, 2020. Flash content is blocked from running in Flash Player today, January 12, 2021. For more information, see Adobe Flash Player EOL General Information Page.

Additional Update Notes:

• MSRT -- The Malicious Software Removal Tool is now run on a quarterly basis rather than monthly.  See Remove specific prevalent malware with Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool.
• Servicing Stack Updates -- A list of the latest servicing stack updates for each operating system can be found in ADV990001. This list will be updated whenever a new servicing stack update is released. It is important to install the latest servicing stack update. Learn more about SSU's in Servicing Stack Updates (SSU)
• Windows 10 updates are cumulative. The monthly security release includes all security fixes for vulnerabilities that affect Windows 10, in addition to non-security updates. The updates are also available via the Microsoft Update Catalog.
• For information on lifecycle and support dates for Windows 10 operating systems, please see Windows Lifecycle Facts Sheet.
• Windows Update History:
  • Windows 10
  • Windows 8.1

References

• Security Update FAQ
• January Security Updates Guide

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

Mozilla Firefox Version 84.0.2 Released with Critical Securty Update

Mozilla sent Firefox Version 84.0.2 to the release channel today with a critical security updat4e for Firefox, Firefox ESR, Firefox for Android. 

Firefox ESR was updated to Version 78.6.1.

Critical

• CVE-2020-16044: Use-after-free write when handling a malicious COOKIE-ECHO SCTP chunk

 References

• Common questions after updating Firefox
• Security Updates
  
• Release Notes
• Firefox ESR 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...

Adobe Flash Player Reaches EoL (End of Life)

The final scheduled update of Adobe Flash Player for all regions outside of Mainland China was issued on December 8, 2020.  It will no longer be supported after December 31 2020, as having reached EoL (End of Life).  Beginning January 12, 2021, Adobe will block Flash content from running in Flash Player. 

Although Microsoft has made KB4577586 available in the Microsoft Update Catalog, it will also be released via Windows Update and is expected to be included in the Microsoft January 2021 Security Updates.

As indicated in the below-referenced Microsoft "Update for the removal of Flash Player", if you are using a browser that supports NPAPI (Firefox/Pale Moon/MyPal) or PPAPI (Opera and Chromium-based browsers), it is necessary to also use the referenced Flash Player Uninstaller. (Note:  a restart will be needed when running the Adobe Flash Player uninstaller.)

"This update only removes Adobe Flash Player that was installed by your version of Windows. If you installed Adobe Flash Player manually from another source, it will not be removed. For more information about how to remove Adobe Flash Player, see the Uninstall Flash Player | Windows topic on the Adobe website."

References

• Adobe Flash Player End of Life
• Microsoft Update Catalog
  
• Uninstall Flash Player for Windows
• Uninstall Flash Player | Mac
  
• Update for the removal of Adobe Flash Player: October 27, 2020

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