Greetings all!

Maybe I'm making up for lost time on the blog? <>

Following is a CERT statement concerning the latest issues with the Microsoft Windows operating systems. This is kind of a follow-up to my message yesterday. What follow are the reasons why you should update your operating system. But remember my thoughts from yesterday - I can think of several folks for whom updating the operating system caused more problems than it fixed. Can you say Damocles Sword?

I'm certain that there are a lot of folks for whom the updates have worked well. I'm just putting it out there so that readers can make an informed decision.

Good things only -

aus

National Cyber Alert System
Technical Cyber Security Alert TA06-318A
Microsoft Security Updates for Windows, Internet Explorer, and Adobe Flash

Original release date: November 14, 2006 Last revised:
Source: US-CERT
Systems Affected
* Microsoft Windows * Microsoft Internet Explorer * Adobe Flash
Overview:
Microsoft has released updates that address critical vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, and Adobe Flash. Exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service on a vulnerable system.

I. Description
Microsoft has released updates to address vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, and Adobe Flash as part of the Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for November 2006. The most severe vulnerabilities could allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service on a vulnerable system. Microsoft has included updates to Adobe Flash, which is installed with Internet Explorer.

Further information is available in the Vulnerability Notes Database.

II. Impact
A remote, unauthenticated attacker could execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system. An attacker may also be able to cause a denial of service.

III. Solution
Apply updates from Microsoft
Microsoft has provided updates for these vulnerabilities in the November 2006 Security Bulletins. The Security Bulletins describe any known issues related to the updates. Note any known issues described in the Bulletins and test for any potentially adverse affects in your environment.

System administrators may wish to consider using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).

IV. References
* US-CERT Vulnerability Notes for Microsoft November 2006 updates - <http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/byid?searchview&query=ms06-nov>
* Securing Your Web Browser -
<http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/securing_browser/>
* Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for November 2006 -
<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms06-nov.mspx>
* Microsoft Update -
<https://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/>
* Windows Server Update Services -<http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/updateservices/default.mspx>

The most recent version of this document can be found at:
<http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA06-318A.html>
Feedback can be directed to US-CERT Technical Staff. Please send email to
<cert@cert.org> with "TA06-318A Feedback VU#377369" in the subject.

For instructions on subscribing to or unsubscribing from this mailing list, visit
<http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/signup.html>.

Produced 2006 by US-CERT, a government organization.
Terms of use:
<http://www.us-cert.gov/legal.html>

Revision History
November 14, 2006: Initial release

END