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Critical Patches Issued for Microsoft Products, May 9, 2023 – PATCH: NOW – TLP: CLEAR

TLP:CLEAR
MS-ISAC CYBERSECURITY ADVISORY

MS-ISAC ADVISORY NUMBER:
2023-048

DATE(S) ISSUED:
5/9/2023

SUBJECT:
Critical Patches Issued for Microsoft Products, May 9, 2023

OVERVIEW:
Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Microsoft products, the most severe of which could allow for remote code execution in the context of the logged on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.

THREAT INTELLIGENCE:
Microsoft reported that there are three zero-day vulnerabilities addressed in this advisory. Two of the vulnerabilities (CVE-2023-29336 and CVE-2023-24932) are reported to have been exploited in attacks in the wild. The third vulnerability (CVE-2023-29325) has been publicly disclosed.

  • Win32k Elevation of Privilege vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain SYSTEM user privileges, Window’s highest user privilege level. (CVE-2023-29336)
  • Secure Boot Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability could allow an attacker to install UEFI bootkits if the attacker has physical access or Administrative rights to a target device. (CVE-2023-24932)
  • Windows OLE Remote Code Execution Vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute remote code on a victim machine using specially crafted emails. (CVE-2023-29325)

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

  • Microsoft Bluetooth Driver
  • Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based)
  • Microsoft Graphics Component
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Office Access
  • Microsoft Office Excel
  • Microsoft Office SharePoint
  • Microsoft Office Word
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Microsoft Windows Codecs Library
  • Reliable Multicast Transport Driver (RMCAST)
  • Remote Desktop Client
  • SysInternals
  • Visual Studio Code
  • Windows Backup Engine
  • Windows Installer
  • Windows iSCSI Target Service
  • Windows Kernel
  • Windows LDAP – Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
  • Windows MSHTML Platform
  • Windows Network File System
  • Windows NFS Portmapper
  • Windows NTLM
  • Windows OLE
  • Windows RDP Client
  • Windows Remote Procedure Call Runtime
  • Windows Secure Boot
  • Windows Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP)
  • Windows SMB
  • Windows Win32K

 

RISK:
Government:

  • Large and medium government entities: High
  • Small government entities: Medium

 

Businesses:

  • Large and medium business entities: High
  • Small business entities: Medium

Home users: Low

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:
Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Microsoft products, the most severe of which could allow for remote code execution.

A full list of all vulnerabilities can be found at the link below:

https://learn.cisecurity.org/e/799323/update-guide/4sxgq4/935730489?h=sTLJGvXiFr9ToQsaRxdl8pS7DtxAfxodVyo5qAg_LeY  

Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could result in an attacker gaining the same privileges as the logged-on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
We recommend the following actions be taken:

  • Apply appropriate patches or appropriate mitigations provided by Microsoft to vulnerable systems immediately after appropriate testing. (M1051: Update Software)
    • Safeguard 7.1: Establish and Maintain a Vulnerability Management Process: Establish and maintain a documented vulnerability management process for enterprise assets. Review and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
    • Safeguard 7.4: Perform Automated Application Patch Management: Perform application updates on enterprise assets through automated patch management on a monthly, or more frequent, basis.
  • Apply the Principle of Least Privilege to all systems and services, and run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative rights) to diminish the effects of a successful attack. (M1026: Privileged Account Management)
    • Safeguard 4.7: Manage Default Accounts on Enterprise Assets and Software: Manage default accounts on enterprise assets and software, such as root, administrator, and other pre-configured vendor accounts. Example implementations can include: disabling default accounts or making them unusable.
    • Safeguard 5.4: Restrict Administrator Privileges to Dedicated Administrator Accounts: Restrict administrator privileges to dedicated administrator accounts on enterprise assets. Conduct general computing activities, such as internet browsing, email, and productivity suite use, from the user’s primary, non-privileged account.
  • Remind all users not to visit untrusted websites or follow links/open files provided by unknown or untrusted sources. (M1017: User Training)
    • Safeguard 14.1: Establish and Maintain a Security Awareness Program: Establish and maintain a security awareness program. The purpose of a security awareness program is to educate the enterprise’s workforce on how to interact with enterprise assets and data in a secure manner. Conduct training at hire and, at a minimum, annually. Review and update content annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
    • Safeguard 14.2: Train Workforce Members to Recognize Social Engineering Attacks: Train workforce members to recognize social engineering attacks, such as phishing, pre-texting, and tailgating.
  • Use capabilities to prevent suspicious behavior patterns from occurring on endpoint systems. This could include suspicious process, file, API call, etc. behavior. (M1040 : Behavior Prevention on Endpoint)
    • Safeguard 13.2 : Deploy a Host-Based Intrusion Detection Solution: Deploy a host-based intrusion detection solution on enterprise assets, where appropriate and/or supported.
    • Safeguard 13.7 : Deploy a Host-Based Intrusion Prevention Solution: Deploy a host-based intrusion prevention solution on enterprise assets, where appropriate and/or supported. Example implementations include use of an Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) client or host-based IPS agent.

REFERENCES:

Microsoft:
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/releaseNote/2023-May

BleepingComputer:
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-may-2023-patch-tuesday-fixes-3-zero-days-38-flaws/

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