Microsoft disables MSIX protocol handler abused in malware attacks
Microsoft has again disabled the MSIX ms-appinstaller protocol handler after multiple financially motivated threat groups abused it to infect Windows users with malware.
Windows 10 gets three more years of security updates, if you can afford them | Ars Technica
Windows 10's end-of-support date is October 14, 2025. That's the day that most Windows 10 PCs will receive their last security update and the date when most people should find a way to move to Windows 11 to ensure that they stay secure. As it has done for other stubbornly popular versions of Windows, though, Microsoft is offering a reprieve for those who want or need to stay on Windows 10: three additional years of security updates, provided to those who can pay for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.
How to bypass Windows Hello, log into vulnerable laptops
Hardware security hackers have detailed how it's possible to bypass Windows Hello's fingerprint authentication and login as someone else – if you can steal or be left alone with their vulnerable device. The research was carried out by Blackwing Intelligence, primarily Jesse D'Aguanno and Timo Teräs, and was commissioned and sponsored by Microsoft's Offensive Research and Security Engineering group. The pair's findings were presented at the IT giant's BlueHat conference last month, and made public this week. You can watch the duo's talk below, or dive into the details in their write-up here.
The evolution of Windows authentication
Discover how we’re securing authentication and reducing NTLM usage in Windows.
CVE-2023-38146: Arbitrary Code Execution via Windows Themes
This is a fun bug I found while poking around at weird Windows file formats. It's a kind of classic Windows style vulnerability featuring broken signing, sketchy DLL loads, file races, cab files, and Mark-of-the-Web silliness. It was also my first experience submitting to the MSRC Windows bug bounty since leaving Microsoft in April of 2022.
Hackers exploit gaping Windows loophole to give their malware kernel access
Microsoft blocks a new batch of system drivers, but the loophole empowering them remains.
Unmasking the Meduza Stealer: Comprehensive Analysis & Countermeasures
Read Uptycs' analysis of the newly discovered Meduza Stealer malware targeting Windows users, revealing capabilities, potential impact & mitigation steps.
Decrypted: Akira Ransomware
Researchers for Avast have developed a decryptor for the Akira ransomware and released it for public download. The Akira ransomware appeared in March 2023 and since then, the gang claims successful attacks on various organizations in the education, finance and real estate industries, amongst others.
Patch Tuesday - Exploit Wednesday: Pwning Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock (afd.sys) in 24 Hours
Dive into the analysis and exploitation of a vulnerability in the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for Winsock for Local Privilege Escalation on Windows 11. More from X-Force Red experts.
Windows Installer EOP (CVE-2023-21800)
This blog post describes the details and methodology of our research targeting the Windows Installer (MSI) installation technology.
Threat groups are using Windows LNK files to gain access
Microsoft's move last year to block macros by default in Office applications is forcing miscreants to find other tools with which to launch cyberattacks, including the software vendor's LNK files – the shortcuts Windows uses to point to other files.
Zoom Patches High Risk Flaws on Windows, MacOS Platforms
Video messaging giant Zoom has released patches for multiple security vulnerabilities that expose both Windows and macOS users to malicious hacker attacks.
Patch Tuesday - Exploit Wednesday: Pwning Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock (afd.sys) in 24 Hours
Dive into the analysis and exploitation of a vulnerability in the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for Winsock for Local Privilege Escalation on Windows 11. More from X-Force Red experts.
Windows Installer EOP (CVE-2023-21800)
This blog post describes the details and methodology of our research targeting the Windows Installer (MSI) installation technology.
Threat groups are using Windows LNK files to gain access
Microsoft's move last year to block macros by default in Office applications is forcing miscreants to find other tools with which to launch cyberattacks, including the software vendor's LNK files – the shortcuts Windows uses to point to other files.
Zoom Patches High Risk Flaws on Windows, MacOS Platforms
Video messaging giant Zoom has released patches for multiple security vulnerabilities that expose both Windows and macOS users to malicious hacker attacks.