Microsoft stops two zero-days for March Patch Tuesday

Microsoft Stops Two Zero-Days for March Patch Tuesday

Microsoft’s March Patch Tuesday was announced on March 9, 2021 and included fixes for 89 vulnerabilities including two zero-day patches. This is the first time this year two zero-day problems were found and fixed in one Patch Tuesday. Microsoft revealed the information about the two zero-day exploits, but provided no additional details on the flaws.

Understanding Zero-Day Exploits

In order to appreciate why the patch for two zero-day exploits was so important for Microsoft, it is useful to understand what zero-day exploits are. Put simply, a zero-day exploit takes advantage of an unknown computer security vulnerability. Hackers can use these exploits to gain access to the vulnerable system to compromise data and systems. A zero-day exploit might be used to install a virus, gain control over a system, steal data, or do other potentially harmful activities.

It is very difficult for even the most secure systems to avoid zero-day exploits as vulnerabilities can arise from the user side, third-party components, or software flaws. As the vulnerabilities are not known, the software is not usually built with any protections against them. The best defence against zero-day exploits is patching the system to prevent any potential attack.

Microsoft Patch Tuesday

Microsoft releases regular security updates called Patch Tuesday to prevent zero-day vulnerabilities from being exploited on Microsoft products. Usually, Microsoft releases these patch updates on the second Tuesday of each month. This month, Patch Tuesday was released on March 9, 2021 and it fixed 89 vulnerabilities. Of these 89 vulnerabilities, two were shown to be zero-day exploits. This is the first time that Microsoft has patched two zero-day exploits in one Patch Tuesday release.

What was Patched

Microsoft announced that only two zero-day vulnerabilities were patched. The first was a remote code execution (RCE) exploit for its Web Applications and Services (APP) platform. The other was an elevation of privilege (EOP) security feature bypass exploit in Windows which could allow an attacker to elevate their privileges on a system.

Why Stop Zero-Day Exploits?

Preventing zero-day exploits is very important in keeping a system secure. If hackers were able to exploit a system, then the results could be devastating, from financial loss to reputation damage or worse. Hackers may also use a zero-day exploit as a way to gain access to a system to install ransomware. Once ransomware is installed, it can spread quickly throughout the network and lead to the disruption of entire organizations. By patching the two zero-days, Microsoft helps to protect organizations from the consequences of a potential exploit.

What Can Organizations Do?

Organizations should ensure that all of their systems are regularly updated and patched to protect against zero-day exploits. Keeping systems and software secure requires continuous effort to ensure they remain up-to-date and employ the most up-to-date security best practices.

Organizations should also have a response plan ready should a breach occur. This plan should include steps to contain the breach and mitigate any potential damage from a hacker. Organizations should also ensure that all users receive awareness and training on cyber security. This will help to ensure users recognize possible risks and are able to respond appropriately should a breach occur.

The two zero-day vulnerabilities patched by Microsoft for the March Patch Tuesday can help all organizations to protect their systems from malicious attackers, ransomware, or other potential harms. It is important for organizations to continuously monitor their systems and ensure that they employ the latest security best practices. Regular system updates and patching should form part of any comprehensive cyber security strategy.

Previous articleThese Are The Best Stocks To Buy And Watch Now
Next articleTips for Growing Your Personal Brand Website