Monday, March 25, 2013


WEEKEND VULNERABILITY AND PATCH REPORT
March 24, 2013

The following software vulnerabilities and updates were announced by Citadel Information Group.  They strongly recommend that readers update their computers and take other action as indicated.  This is from an e-mail received from Stan Stahl, Ph.D. [www.citadel-information.com] and posted with his approval.

Important Security Updates

Apple iOS: Apple has released iOS 6.1.3 for the iPhone 3GS or later, iPod touch 4th generation or later, and iPad 2 or later to address multiple vulnerabilities. Updates are available through the device or iTunes. Apple has also implemented two step verification, which we recommend.  See the story in the Cyber Warning Section of this week's Cyber Security News of the Week. This update also fixes the vulnerability we first alerted readers to in Weekend Vulnerability and Patch Report, February 17, 2013. 
Apple TV: Apple has released version 5.2.1 to fix several vulnerabilities. Updates are available through the device.
RealPlayer: RealPlayer has released version 16.0.1.18 to fix a highly critical vulnerability. The update is available from RealPlayer's website.  
Google Chrome: Google has released version 25.0.1364.173 of Chrome to address multiple vulnerabilities. According to Google, they will be pushing out updates over the next several days.
Google Picasa: Google has released version 3.9.0 an update to fix several highly critical vulnerabilities. Updates are available from Google's website.

Current Software Versions

Adobe Flash 11.6.602.180 [Windows 7: IE9, Firefox, Mozilla, Netscape, Opera]
Adobe Flash 11.6.602.180 [Windows 8: IE]
Adobe Flash 11.6.602.180 [Macintosh OS X: Firefox, Opera, Safari]
Adobe Reader 11.0.02
Dropbox 1.6.11 [Citadel warns against relying on Dropbox security. We recommend files containing sensitive information be independently encrypted with a program like Axcrypt; encryption keys be at least 15 characters long; and the Dropbox password be at least 15 characters long and different from other passwords.]
Firefox 19.0.2 [Windows]
Google Chrome 25.0.1364.173
Internet Explorer 10.0.9200.16521 [Windows 7: IE]
Internet Explorer 10.0.9200.16519 [Windows 8: IE]
Java SE 7 Update 17 [Citadel 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 particular web sites that requires Java, Citadel recommends using a two-browser approach to minimize risk. If you normally browse the Web with Firefox, for example, disable the Java plugin in Firefox and use an alternative browser - such as Chrome, IE9, Safari, etc - with Java enabled to browse only the sites that require it.]
QuickTime 7.7.3 (1680.64)
Safari 5.1.7  [Windows]
Safari 6.0.3 [Mac OS X]
Skype 6.2.0.106

Unpatched Vulnerabilities

For an updated list of previously announced Unpatched Vulnerabilities, please see the resources section of Citadel's website.

For Your IT Department

McAfee: Secunia reports a vulnerability in McAfee's Vulnerability Manager in versions 7.5.0 and 7.5.1. Apply hotfix. The vendor is planning to release a MVM 7.5.2 patch at the end of March.  
Symantec NetBackup: Secunia reports a vulnerability in Symantec's NetBackup. Upgrade to version 2.5.x or later.  

If you are responsible for the security of your computer, Citadel's Weekend Vulnerability and Patch Report is for you. We strongly urge you to take action to keep your workstation patched and updated.

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

Citadel publishes our Weekend Vulnerability and 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 and vulnerabilities.

Copyright © 2013 Citadel Information Group. All rights reserved.

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