WEEKEND VULNERABILITY AND PATCH REPORT

March 31, 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

Google Chrome: Google has released version 26.0.1410.43 of Chrome to fix at least 11 highly critical vulnerabilities that remain unpatched in previous versions. Update through Chrome settings or go to Chrome's website.  

Google Picasa: Google has released version 3.9 Build 136.19 of Picasa. Updates are available through the program.

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 26.0.1410.43

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

Newly Announced Unpatched Vulnerabilities

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

For Your IT Department

Cisco Multiple Products: Cisco has released updates for multiple products, including its IOS products. Apply appropriate updates.

McAfee Firewall Enterprise: Secunia reports  a moderately critical unpatched vulnerability in McAfee's Firewall. No patches are available at this time. The vendor is currently working on a patch.

Novell ZENworks: Secunia reports a moderately critical vulnerability in Novell ZENworks versions 11.2 and 10.3. Check vendor advisories for patch availability.

VMware ESX / ESXi: Secunia reports a highly critical vulnerability in VMware's ESXi versions 5.1, 5.0, 4.1, and 4.0 and ESX versions 4.1 and 4.0. Check vendor advisories for patch availability.

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.