SYSTEMS AFFECTED:
- Active Directory Domain Services
- Azure Network Watcher
- Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU)
- Microsoft Digest Authentication
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales
- Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based)
- Microsoft Edge for iOS and Android
- Microsoft High Performance Compute Pack (HPC) Linux Node Agent
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Office Excel
- Microsoft Office SharePoint
- Microsoft PC Manager
- Microsoft Streaming Service
- Microsoft Surface
- Microsoft Windows
- Outlook for Android
- Visual Studio
- Visual Studio Code
- Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock
- Windows CoreMessaging
- Windows DHCP Client
- Windows DHCP Server
- Windows Disk Cleanup Tool
- Windows DWM Core Library
- Windows Installer
- Windows Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
- Windows Kerberos
- Windows Kernel
- Windows LDAP - Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
- Windows Message Queuing
- Windows NTLM
- Windows Remote Desktop Services
- Windows Resilient File System (ReFS) Deduplication Service
- Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS)
- Windows Setup Files Cleanup
- Windows Storage
- Windows Telephony Server
- Windows Telephony Service
- Windows Update Stack
- Windows Win32 Kernel Subsystem
RISK:
Government:
- Large and medium government entities: High
- Small government entities: Medium
Businesses:
- Large and medium business entities: High
- Small business entities: Medium
- 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/<wbr />update-guide/ https://msrc.microsoft.com/<wbr />update-guide/releaseNote/2025-<wbr />Feb
