Weekend Patch Report, May 24, 2020

Important Security Updates

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Apple Multiple Products: Apple has released security updates for iTunes, watchOS, tvOS, iOS, iPadOS and more. Additional details are available on Apple’s website.

Google Chrome: Google has released Google Chrome version 83.0.4103.61. Updates are available from within the browser or from Google’s website.

PeaZip: PeaZip has released version 7.3.0. Updates are available from PeaZip’s website.

Skype: Skype has released Skype 8.60.0.76. Updates are available from the program or Skype’s website.

Current Software Versions

Adobe Flash Player 32.0.0.371 [Flash is a major source of cyber criminal exploits and is not needed for most internet browsing. Doing without Flash—or at least without Flash turned on all the time—makes good security sense, and it isn’t as difficult as you might think: See Brian Krebs’ post, A Month Without Adobe Flash Player, for tips on how to minimize the risks of having Flash installed.]

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC 2020.009.20063

Dropbox 97.4.467 [SecureTheVillage warns against relying on security of Dropbox or other cloud-based file exchange systems. We recommend files containing sensitive information be independently encrypted; encryption keys be at least 15 characters long; and the master Dropbox [or other] password be at least 15 characters long and different from other passwords.]

Firefox 76.0.1 [Windows]

Google Chrome Version 83.0.4103.61 (Official Build)

Explorer 11.0.190

Java SE 8 Update 251 [ SecureTheVillage recommends removing or disabling Java from your browser. Java is a major source of cyber criminal exploits. It is not needed for most internet browsing. If you have a particular web site or application that requires Java, SecureTheVillage recommends using a two-browser approach to minimize risk. Unplug Java from the browser you use for everyday surfing and leave it plugged in to a second browser that you only use for sites that require Java. And if you have a specific use or need for Java, make sure you have the latest version.]

Microsoft Edge 81.0.416.77

QuickTime 7.7.9 [ SecureTheVillage recommends removing QuickTime. On April 14, 2016 US-CERT advised Microsoft Windows users to remove QuickTime. This followed a report in ars technica that Apple has no plans to update the Windows app despite at least two reliable QuickTime vulnerabilities that threaten Windows users who still have the program installed.]

Safari 13.1 [Mac OS X Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan]

Skype 8.60.0.76

For Your IT Department

Cisco Multiple Products: Cisco has released updates for MDS 9000 Series Switches, Unified Contact Center, Prime Network Registrar, Prime Collaboration Provisioning Softwware, AMP for Endpoints Mac Connector Software, Firepower Detection Engine, and more. Apply updates. Additional details are available on Cisco’s website.

Microsoft Windows DNS Server: Microsoft has released a Security Advisory for a vulnerability involving packet amplification that affects Windows DNS servers. Additional details are available on Microsoft’s website.

VMware: VMware has released updates for VMware Cloud Director and more. Apply updates. Updates are available for VMware’s website.

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If you are responsible for the security of your computer, our Weekend Patch Report is for you. We strongly urge you to take action to keep your system(s) patched and updated.

If someone else is responsible for the security of your computer, forward our Weekend Patch Report to them and follow up to make sure your computer has been patched and updated.

Vulnerability management is a key element of information security management. Cyber criminals take over user computers by writing computer programs that “exploit” vulnerabilities in operating systems (Windows, Apple OS, etc) and application programs (Adobe Acrobat, Office, Flash, Java, etc). When software companies find a vulnerability, they usually issue an update patch to fix the code running in their customer’s computers.

SecureTheVillage publishes our Weekend Patch Report to alert readers to some of the week’s important updates and vulnerabilities. Our focus is on software typically found in the small or home office (SOHO) or that users are likely to have on their home computer. The report is not intended to be a thorough listing of updates.

Copyright © 2020 SecureTheVillage. All rights reserved.

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