Microsoft's August 2024 Security Updates: Analysing Critical Vulnerabilities and Cybersecurity Threats

Research Wing

Innovation and Research

PUBLISHED ON

Aug 19, 2024

Executive Summary:

Microsoft rolled out a set of major security updates in August, 2024 that fixed 90 cracks in the MS operating systems and the office suite; 10 of these had been exploited in actual hacker attacks and were zero-days. In the following discussion, these vulnerabilities are first outlined and then a general analysis of the contemporary cyber security threats is also undertaken in this blog. This blog seeks to give an acquainted and non-acquainted audience about these updates, the threat that these exploits pose, and prevent measures concerning such dangers.

1. Introduction

Nowadays, people and organisations face the problem of cybersecurity as technologies develop and more and more actions take place online. These cyber threats have not ceased to mutate and hence safeguarding organisations’ digital assets requires a proactive stand. This report is concerned with the vulnerabilities fixed by Microsoft in August 2024 that comprised a cumulative of 90 security weaknesses where six of them were zero-day exploits. All these make a terrible risk pose and thus, it is important to understand them as we seek to safeguard virtual properties.

2. Overview of Microsoft’s August 2024 Security Updates

August 2024 security update provided by Microsoft to its products involved 90 vulnerabilities for Windows, Office, and well known programs and applications. These updates are of the latest type which are released by Microsoft under its Patch Tuesday program, a regular cum monthly release of all Patch updates.

Critical Flaws: As expected, seven of the 90 were categorised as Critical, meaning that these are flaws that could be leveraged by hackers to compromise the targeted systems or bring operations to a halt.
Zero-Day Exploits: A zero-day attack can be defined as exploits, which are as of now being exploited by attackers while the software vendor has not yet developed a patch for the same. It had managed 10 zero-days with the August update, which underlines that Microsoft and its ecosystems remain at risk.
Broader Impact: These are not isolated to the products of Microsoft only They still persist Despite this, these vulnerabilities are not exclusive to the Microsoft products only. Other vendors such as Adobe, Cisco, Google, and others also released security advisories to fix a variety of issues which proves today’s security world is highly connected.

3. Detailed Analysis of Key Vulnerabilities

This section provides an in-depth analysis of some of the most critical vulnerabilities patched in August 2024. Each vulnerability is explained in layman’s terms to ensure accessibility for all readers.

3. 1 CVE-2024-38189: Microsoft Project Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVSS score:8. 8) :

The problem is in programs that belong to the Microsoft Project family which is known to be a popular project management system. The vulnerability enables an attacker to produce a file to entice an user into opening it and in the process execute code on the affected system. This could possibly get the attacker full control of the user’s system as mentioned in the following section.

Explanation for Non-Technical Readers: Let us assume that one day you received a file which appears to be a normal word document. When it is opened, it is in a format that it secretly downloads a problematic program in the computer and this goes unnoticed. This is what could happen with this vulnerability, that is why it is very dangerous.

3. 2 CVE-2024-38178: Windows Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability (CVSS score: 7.5):

Some of the risks relate to a feature known as the Windows Scripting Engine, which is an important system allowing a browser or an application to run scripts in a web page or an application. The weak point can result in corruption of memory space and an attacker can perform remote code execution with the possibility to affect the entire system.

Explanation for Non-Technical Readers: For the purpose of understanding how your computer memory works, imagine if your computer’s memory is a library. This vulnerability corrupts the structure of the library so that an intruder can inject malicious books (programs) which you may read (execute) on your computer and create havoc.

3. 3 CVE-2024-38193: WinSock Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (CVSS score: 7. 8 )

It opens up a security weakness in the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock, which is an essential model that masks the communication between the two. It enables the attacker to gain new privileges on the particular system they have attacked, in this case they gain some more privileges on the attacked system and can access other higher activities or details.

Explanation for Non-Technical Readers: This flaw is like somebody gaining access to the key to your house master bedroom. They can also steal all your valuable items that were earlier locked and could only be accessed by you. It lets the attacker cause more havoc as soon as he gets inside your computer.

3. 4 CVE-2024-38106: Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (CVSS score: 7. 0)

This vulnerability targets what is known as the Windows Kernel which forms the heart or main frameworks of the operating system that controls and oversees the functions of the computer components. This particular weakness can be exploited and an opponent will be able to get high-level access and ownership of the system.

Explanation for Non-Technical Readers: The kernel can be compared to the brain of your computer. It is especially dangerous that if someone can control the brain he can control all the rest, which makes it a severe weakness.

3. 5 CVE-2024-38213: Windows Mark of the Web Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability (CVSS score: 6.5).

This vulnerability enables the attackers to evade the SmartScreen component of Windows which is used to safeguard users from accessing unsafe files. This weakness can be easily used by the attackers to influence the users to open files that are otherwise malicious.

Explanation for Non-Technical Readers: Usually, before opening a file your computer would ask you in advance that opening the file may harm your computer. This weak point makes your computer believe that this dangerous file is good and then no warning will be given to you.

4. Implications of the Vulnerabilities

These vulnerabilities, importantly the zero-day exploits, have significant implications on all users.

Data Breaches: These weaknesses can therefore be manipulated to cause exposures of various data, occasioning data leaks that put individual and corporate information and wealth.
System Compromise: The bad guys could end up fully compromising the impacted systems meaning that they can put in malware, pilfer data or simply shut down a program.
Financial Loss: The organisations that do not patch these vulnerabilities on the shortest notice may end up experiencing a lot of losses because of having to deal with a lot of downtimes on their systems, having to incur the costs of remediating the systems that have been breached and also dealing with legal repercussions.
Reputation Damage: Security breaches and IT system corruptions can result in loss of customer and partner confidence in an organisation’s ability to protect their information affecting its reputation and its position in the market.

5. Recommendations for Mitigating Risks

Immediate measures should be taken regarding the risks linked to these issues since such weaknesses pose a rather high threat. The following are recommendations suitable for both technical and non-technical users.

5. 1 Regular Software Updates

Make it a point that all the software, particularly operating systems and all Microsoft applications are updated. Any system out there needs to update it from Microsoft, and its Patch Tuesday release is crucial.

For Non-Technical Users: As much as possible, reply ‘yes’ to updates whenever your computer or smartphone prompts for it. These updates correct security matters and secure your instruments.

5. 2 Realisation of Phishing Attacks

Most of the risks are normally realised through phishing techniques. People should be taught diversifiable actions that come with crazy emails like clicking on links and opening attachments.

For Non-Technical Users: Do not respond to emails from unknown people and if they make you follow a link or download a file, do not do it. If it looks like spam, do not click on it.

5. 3 Security Software

Strong and reliable antivirus and anti-malware software can be used to identify and avoid the attacks that might have high chances of using these vulnerabilities.

For Non-Technical Users: Ensure you download a quality antivirus and always update it. This works like a security guard to your computer by preventing bad programs.

5. 4 Introduce Multi Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA works in a way to enforce a second factor of authentication before the account can be accessed; for instance, a user will be asked to input a text message or an authentication application.

For Non-Technical Users: NS is to make use of two-factor authentication on your accounts. It is like increasing the security measures that a man who has to burgle a house has to undergo by having to hammer an additional lock on the door.

5. 5 Network segmentations and Privileges management

Network segmentation should be adopted by organisations to prevent the spread of attacks while users should only be granted the privileges required to do their activities.

For Non- Technical Users: Perform the assessments of user privileges and the networks frequently and alter them in an effort of reducing the extent of the attacks.

6. Global Cybersecurity Landscape and Vendor Patches

The other major vendors have also released patches to address security vulnerabilities in their products. The interdependent nature of technology has the effect on the entire digital ecosystem.

Adobe, Cisco, Google, and Others: These companies have released updates to address the weaknesses in their products that are applied in different sectors. These patches should be applied promptly to enhance cybersecurity.
Collaboration and Information Sharing:Security vendors as well as researchers and experts in the cybersecurity domain, need to remain vigilant and keep on sharing information on emerging threats in cyberspace.

7. Conclusion

The security updates companies such as Microsoft and other vendors illustrate the present day fight between cybersecurity experts and cybercriminals. All the vulnerabilities addressed in this August 2024 update cycle are a call for prudence and constant protection of digital platforms. These vulnerabilities explain the importance of maintaining up-to-date systems, being aware of potential threats, and implementing robust security practices. Therefore, it is important to fortify our shield in this ever expanding threat domain, in order to be safe from attackers who use this weakness for their malicious purposes.

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PUBLISHED ON

Aug 19, 2024

Related Blogs

#FactCheck - Viral Photo of Dilapidated Bridge Misattributed to Kerala, Originally from Bangladesh

August 8, 2024

Executive Summary:

A viral photo on social media claims to show a ruined bridge in Kerala, India. But, a reality check shows that the bridge is in Amtali, Barguna district, Bangladesh. The reverse image search of this picture led to a Bengali news article detailing the bridge's critical condition. This bridge was built-in 2002 to 2006 over Jugia Khal in Arpangashia Union. It has not been repaired and experiences recurrent accidents and has the potential to collapse, which would disrupt local connectivity. Thus, the social media claims are false and misleading.

Claims:

Social Media users share a photo that shows a ruined bridge in Kerala, India.

Fact Check:

On receiving the posts, we reverse searched the image which leads to a Bengali News website named Manavjamin where the title displays, “19 dangerous bridges in Amtali, lakhs of people in fear”. We found the picture on this website similar to the viral image. On reading the whole article, we found that the bridge is located in Bangladesh's Amtali sub-district of Barguna district.

Taking a cue from this, we then searched for the bridge in that region. We found a similar bridge at the same location in Amtali, Bangladesh.

According to the article, The 40-meter bridge over Jugia Khal in Arpangashia Union, Amtali, was built in 2002 to 2006 and was never repaired. It is in a critical condition, causing frequent accidents and risking collapse. If the bridge collapses it will disrupt communication between multiple villages and the upazila town. Residents have made temporary repairs.

Hence, the claims made by social media users are fake and misleading.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the viral photo claiming to show a ruined bridge in Kerala is actually from Amtali, Barguna district, Bangladesh. The bridge is in a critical state, with frequent accidents and the risk of collapse threatening local connectivity. Therefore, the claims made by social media users are false and misleading.

Claim: A viral image shows a ruined bridge in Kerala, India.
Claimed on: Facebook
Fact Check: Fake & Misleading

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Emerging Cyber Crime Hotspots

March 8, 2024

Introduction

As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) ‘Cyber Crime In India Report 2022’, A total of 65,893 cases were registered under Cyber Crimes, showing an increase of 24.4% in registration in comparison to 52,974 cases registered in 2021. The crime rate increased from 3.9 in 2021 to 4.8 in 2022. During 2022, 64.8% of cyber-crime cases registered were for the motive of fraud (42,710 out of 65,893 cases), followed by Extortion with 5.5% (3,648 cases) and Sexual Exploitation with 5.2% (3,434 cases). The statistics released by NCRB show the increased rate of cyber crimes in the country, which poses a significant question of safety in the online world. The rise in cybercrime indicates a rise in emerging criminal groups with malicious intentions, creating new cybercrime hotspots in the country where these groups target and commit cyber crimes despite limited resources.

Cyber Crime Hotspots

Police have recently arrested several cyber criminals in a specific region, indicating that certain areas have become hotspots for cybercrime. Mewat region is one such hotspot indicating a growing trend of cybercrime operating from this area. The Mewat gang's modus operandi is quite different; Cybercriminals in Mewat scam mobile owners just using smartphones and SIM cards without kingpins and targeting mobile owners. The scammers also lure people through online marketplaces such as OLX, in which they pretend to sell possessions and then either physically lure victims to pick-up locations or scam them virtually.

A study conducted by Future Crime Research Foundation and IIT Kanpur in 2023 has revealed that Jamatara city, once considered the cyber crime capital of India, is no longer the epicentre. The study found that 35 hotspots in India are actively involved in cybercrime activities. The top 10 cybercrime hotspots in India collectively account for 80% of cybercrime-related cases in India. These districts are strategically located near India's capital or closer to the National Capital Region (NCR). These districts are strategically placed with multiple borders, making them easy targets for criminals.

Online financial fraud and social media-related crimes are the most common in India. Cybercriminals exploit data as a gold mine, using it to commit crimes. For instance, they can obtain banking and insurance data, use simple AI tools to cheat victims, and they can easily impersonate identities to lure innocent people. In cybercrime hotspots, sextortion is a modern way for cybercriminals to record and demand money. Loan app fraud, OLX fraud, and job fraud also originate from these specific regions.

Recommendations

To counter the challenges posed by emerging cybercrime hubs, the following recommendations are to be considered:

Advanced threat Intelligence: The digital landscape is evolving, and the threat landscape is becoming more complex. AI's role in cybersecurity is becoming increasingly critical, both positively and negatively, as it helps in understanding and addressing advanced threats. AI is capable of proactive threat hunting, real-time anomaly detection, and swift incident response.
Enhancing capabilities of Law Enforcement Agencies: Law enforcement agencies must be sensitised to advanced tools or techniques to investigate cyber crime cases effectively. The development and implementation of advanced forensic tools and technologies need to be utilised or implemented to keep up with the evolving tactics of cybercrime perpetrators.
Continuous Monitoring: Continuous cybersecurity monitoring is crucial for detecting anomalies and preventing cyber-attacks. It involves analysing systems and data to establish baseline security, identify deviations, and investigate potential threats. Cybersecurity experts use data observability tools, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to detect unexpected dataset changes.
Cyber Security Awareness: Public awareness needs to be higher. Cybercrime prevention and cybersecurity is a shared responsibility of all of us by being aware of the threats and following the best practices. The frequent interaction between law enforcement and the public is necessary to raise awareness about safeguarding personal and financial information. Effective campaigns on cyber security are necessary to educate netizens.

Safety Tips for Netizens

Install up-to-date security software and firewalls on devices, use strong passwords for accounts, and regularly update software and applications. Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading files from unknown sources, and be cautious of your personal information.

Conclusion

The rise of Cyber Crime Hotspots in specific regions or districts has significantly exacerbated the issue of increasing cybercrime rates. In order to combat cybercrime more effectively, it is necessary for law enforcement agencies to strengthen their coordination between different states and to adapt advanced technology methods to counter cybercrime threats effectively. Moreover, educating netizens about cyber crime threats and providing best practices is an effective method to counter these threats, considered the first line of defense against cybercrime.

References

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Tackling Cyber Threats faced by MSMEs

October 1, 2024

Introduction

MSMEs, being the cornerstone of the Indian economy, are one of the most vulnerable targets in cyberspace and no enterprise is too small to be a target for malicious actors. MSMEs hardly ever perform a cyber-risk assessment, but when they do, they may run into a number of internal problems, such as cyberattacks brought on by inadequate networking security, online fraud, ransomware assaults, etc. Tackling cyber threats in MSMEs is critical mainly because of their high level of dependance on digital technologies and the growing sophistication of cyber attacks. Protecting them from cyber threats is essential, as a security breach can have devastating consequences, including financial loss, reputational damage, and operational disruptions.

Key Cyber Threats that MSMEs are facing

MSMEs are most vulnerable to are phishing attacks, ransomware, malware and viruses, insider threats, social engineering attacks, supply chain attacks, credential stuffing and brute force attacks and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks. Some of these attacks are described as under-

Insider threats arise from employees or contractors who intentionally or unintentionally compromise security. It involves data theft, misuse of access privileges, or accidental data exposure.
Social engineering attacks involve manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security by pretexting, baiting, and impersonation.
Supply chain attacks exploit the trust in relationships between businesses and their suppliers and introduce malware, compromise data integrity, and disrupt operations.
Credential stuffing and brute force attacks give unauthorized access to accounts and systems, leading to data breaches and financial losses.

Challenges Faced by MSMEs in Cybersecurity

The challenges faced by MSMEs in cyber security are mainly due to limited resources and budget constraints which leads to other issues such as a lack of specialized expertise as MSMEs often lack the IT support of cyber security experts. Awareness and training are needed to mitigate poor understanding of cyber threats and their complexity in nature. Vulnerabilities in the supply chain are present as they rely on third-party vendors and partners often, introducing potential supply chain vulnerabilities. Regulatory compliance is often complex and is taken seriously only when an issue crops up but it needs special attention especially with the DPDP Act coming in. The lack of an incident response plan leads to delayed and inadequate responses to cyber incidents, increasing the impact of breaches.

Best Practices for Tackling Cyber Threats for MSMEs

To effectively tackle cyber threats, MSMEs should adopt a comprehensive approach such as:

Implementing and enforcing strong access controls by using MFA or 2FA and password policies. Limiting employee access as role based and updating the same as and when needed.
Regularly apply security patches and use automated patch management solutions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
Conduct employee training and awareness programs and promote a security-first approach for the employees and assessing employee readiness to identify improvement areas.
Implement network security measures by using firewalls and intrusion detection systems. Using secure Wi-Fi networks via strong encryptions and changing default credentials for the router are recommended, as is segmenting networks to limit lateral movement within the network in case of a breach.
Regular data backup ensures that in case of an attack, data loss can be recovered and made available in secure offsite locations to protect it from unauthorized access.
Developing an incident response plan that outlines the roles, responsibilities and procedure for responding to cyber incidents with regular drills to ensure readiness and clear communication protocols for incident reporting to regulators, stakeholders and customers.
Implement endpoint security solutions using antivirus and anti-malware softwares. Devices should be against unauthorized access and implement mobile device management solutions enforcing security policies on employee-owned devices used for work purposes.
Cyber insurance coverage will help in transferring financial risks in case of cyber incidents. It should have comprehensive coverage including business interruptions, data restoration, legal liabilities and incident response costs.

Conclusion

Addressing cyber threats in MSMEs requires a proactive and multi-layered approach that encompasses technical solutions, employee training, and strategic planning. By implementing best practices and leveraging cybersecurity solutions tailored to their specific needs, MSMEs can significantly enhance their resilience against cyber threats. As cyber threats continue to evolve, staying informed about the latest trends and adopting a culture of security awareness will be essential for MSMEs to protect their assets, reputation, and bottom line.

References:

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Microsoft's August 2024 Security Updates: Analysing Critical Vulnerabilities and Cybersecurity Threats

Executive Summary:

1. Introduction

2. Overview of Microsoft’s August 2024 Security Updates

3. Detailed Analysis of Key Vulnerabilities

4. Implications of the Vulnerabilities

5. Recommendations for Mitigating Risks

6. Global Cybersecurity Landscape and Vendor Patches

7. Conclusion

Related Blogs

Executive Summary:

Claims:

Fact Check:

Conclusion:

Introduction

Cyber Crime Hotspots

Recommendations

Safety Tips for Netizens

Conclusion

References

Introduction

Key Cyber Threats that MSMEs are facing

Challenges Faced by MSMEs in Cybersecurity

Best Practices for Tackling Cyber Threats for MSMEs

Recommended Cybersecurity Solutions Tailored for MSMEs

Conclusion

References:

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