Microsoft Releases Critical Security Patches in September 2015 Patch Tuesday

Microsoft Patch Tuesday for September 2015 is one of the most anticipated events for IT professionals around the world. The monthly release of security updates, fixes, and patches from Microsoft is an essential part of the cybersecurity regimen that every organization must undertake. The September 2015 edition of Patch Tuesday promises to be a crucial one, as it addresses several critical vulnerabilities that could potentially expose organizations to cyber threats and attacks. In this article, we will delve into the details of what Microsoft has in store for us in the upcoming Patch Tuesday and how IT professionals can prepare themselves to implement the updates effectively.

The first thing that catches our attention in the September 2015 Patch Tuesday is the sheer number of updates that Microsoft has released. There are a total of 12 security bulletins, with five of them rated as critical and the rest as important. This indicates the severity and urgency of the vulnerabilities that are being addressed in this update. The critical updates cover a wide range of applications and services, including Internet Explorer, Edge, Office, Windows Shell, and .NET Framework. This means that organizations must take a comprehensive approach to deploying the updates and not just focus on one or two applications.

Another aspect that is noteworthy in the September 2015 Patch Tuesday is the nature of the vulnerabilities that are being patched. Some of the critical vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution, which means that an attacker could gain control of a system remotely and carry out malicious actions. Other vulnerabilities could lead to information disclosure, denial of service attacks, or elevation of privilege. All these vulnerabilities underscore the need for organizations to stay vigilant and proactive in their cybersecurity measures.

One of the challenges that IT professionals face in implementing the Patch Tuesday updates is the potential disruption to their systems and applications. While the updates are necessary for maintaining the security and stability of the environment, they could also introduce new issues or conflicts with existing software. Therefore, IT professionals must carefully plan and test the updates before rolling them out to production systems. They must also have a rollback plan in case something goes wrong during the update process.

The September 2015 Patch Tuesday also highlights the importance of keeping track of the vulnerabilities that are being addressed and their corresponding exploits. Cybercriminals are quick to exploit newly discovered vulnerabilities, and organizations that are slow to patch their systems are at risk of being targeted. Therefore, IT professionals must stay informed about the latest threat intelligence and prioritize their patching efforts based on the severity of the vulnerabilities and the potential impact on their operations.

One of the trends that we see in the September 2015 Patch Tuesday is the focus on web browsers and their related components. Both Internet Explorer and Edge have critical updates that address remote code execution vulnerabilities. This reinforces the notion that web browsers are a prime target for cyber attacks, as they are the gateway to the internet and often contain sensitive information such as login credentials, cookies, and browsing history. IT professionals must ensure that their web browsers are up-to-date and configured securely.

Another theme that emerges in the September 2015 Patch Tuesday is the need for collaboration between vendors and researchers in identifying and fixing vulnerabilities. Several of the updates were the result of coordinated efforts between Microsoft and external security researchers who reported the vulnerabilities to the company. This demonstrates the importance of having a responsible disclosure policy and a channel for reporting vulnerabilities. It also highlights the fact that cybersecurity is a collective effort and requires the cooperation of all stakeholders.

In conclusion, the September 2015 Patch Tuesday is an important event for IT professionals and organizations around the world. The updates address critical vulnerabilities that could potentially expose systems to cyber threats and attacks. IT professionals must plan, test, and deploy the updates carefully to minimize disruption and ensure the security and stability of their environment. They must also stay informed about the latest threat intelligence and collaborate with vendors and researchers in identifying and fixing vulnerabilities. By taking a proactive and comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, organizations can mitigate the risks and protect their assets from cyber threats.

Introduction

Microsoft has been releasing updates every month for various products, including Windows, Office, and Internet Explorer. This monthly update is known as Patch Tuesday. In September 2015, Microsoft released several security updates to fix vulnerabilities in their products. Let's discuss the highlights of this Patch Tuesday.

Critical Security Updates

One of the critical security updates released in September 2015 was for Internet Explorer (IE). The update addressed a vulnerability in IE that could allow an attacker to run arbitrary code on a victim's computer. This vulnerability can be exploited by luring a victim to a specially crafted website or opening a malicious email attachment.Another critical security update was for Microsoft Edge, the new web browser that comes with Windows 10. The update fixed a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the same privileges as the current user.

Important Security Updates

In addition to the critical security updates, Microsoft also released several important security updates. One of these updates was for Windows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). The update fixed a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a victim's computer if RDP is enabled.Another important security update was for Microsoft Office. The update addressed several vulnerabilities in Office, including one that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code if a user opens a specially crafted Office file.

Other Updates

Apart from security updates, Microsoft also released several non-security updates for various products. For example, there was an update for Skype for Business 2015 that fixed a bug related to call transfer. There was also an update for Exchange Server 2013 that fixed a bug related to public folder permissions.

Known Issues

As with every Patch Tuesday, there were some known issues with the updates released in September 2015. For example, some users reported issues with the Windows 10 cumulative update that caused their computers to freeze or crash. Microsoft acknowledged the issue and released a fix for it.There were also reports of issues with the Office updates, particularly with the Outlook update. Some users reported that after installing the update, they were unable to search for emails. Microsoft acknowledged the issue and provided a workaround.

Conclusion

Patch Tuesday is an important day for Microsoft users as it provides critical security updates and bug fixes for various products. September 2015 was no exception, with several critical and important security updates being released. Users are advised to install these updates as soon as possible to stay protected from potential attacks.If you encounter any issues after installing the updates, make sure to check Microsoft's support website for known issues and workarounds. And if you're still having trouble, don't hesitate to contact Microsoft's support team for assistance.

Overview of Microsoft Patch Tuesday September 2015

Microsoft Patch Tuesday September 2015 was a significant release that addressed many critical vulnerabilities in Windows and other products. The release included nine security bulletins, five of which were rated as critical and four as important. These patches covered a broad range of Microsoft products, including Internet Explorer, Edge, and Office.

Critical vulnerabilities addressed in Windows

The most critical vulnerabilities addressed in Windows included remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities, which could allow attackers to take complete control of a system. One such vulnerability, CVE-2015-2524, affected all supported versions of Windows and allowed attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This vulnerability was patched by bulletin MS15-094.Another RCE vulnerability, CVE-2015-2525, was patched by bulletin MS15-095 and affected all supported versions of Windows except for Windows 10. This vulnerability was related to the way that Windows handles certain fonts and could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

Fixes for Office products acknowledged

Several vulnerabilities were also addressed in Office products, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to execute code remotely or bypass security features. Bulletin MS15-097 addressed these vulnerabilities and provided fixes for Office 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016.

Internet Explorer security updates

Bulletin MS15-094 also included security updates for Internet Explorer, which addressed several vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code. These vulnerabilities affected all supported versions of Internet Explorer, including IE9, IE10, and IE11.

Flaws in Edge browser mitigated

Edge, Microsoft's new web browser, was also updated with several security fixes in bulletin MS15-095. These fixes addressed several vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to execute code remotely or bypass security features.

Update for Microsoft .NET Framework

Bulletin MS15-092 provided an update for the Microsoft .NET Framework, which addressed a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This vulnerability affected all supported versions of the .NET Framework.

Patch for Visual Studio 2015

Bulletin MS15-096 provided a patch for Visual Studio 2015, which addressed a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This vulnerability affected all editions of Visual Studio 2015.

Adjustable binary differential compression

Bulletin MS15-098 introduced a new feature called Adjustable Binary Differential Compression (ABDC), which is designed to reduce the size of updates by only transmitting the differences between the old and new versions of files. This feature can significantly reduce the amount of bandwidth required to distribute updates and can make the update process faster and more efficient.

Summary of updates for Adobe Flash Player

In addition to Microsoft's own products, Adobe Flash Player was also updated with several security fixes in bulletin APSB15-21. These fixes addressed several vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or bypass security features.

Final thoughts on Microsoft Patch Tuesday September 2015

Overall, Microsoft Patch Tuesday September 2015 was a significant release that addressed many critical vulnerabilities in Microsoft's products. The updates included security fixes for Windows, Office products, Internet Explorer, Edge, and other products. The introduction of ABDC is a particularly noteworthy development that could make the update process faster and more efficient. It is essential for users to update their systems promptly to ensure they are protected from these vulnerabilities.

Microsoft Patch Tuesday September 2015: A Story of Security and Protection

It was a bright and sunny day in September, and the IT department at a large corporation was on high alert. They knew that it was Microsoft Patch Tuesday, the day when Microsoft released its monthly security updates for all of its products. The IT team had been preparing for this day for weeks, reviewing the latest updates and assessing the impact they would have on their systems.

The Importance of Microsoft Patch Tuesday

Microsoft Patch Tuesday is a critical day for IT departments around the world. It is the day when Microsoft releases its latest security updates and patches for all of its products, including Windows, Internet Explorer, and Office. These updates are designed to fix vulnerabilities and bugs in the software, which can be exploited by hackers and cybercriminals to gain access to sensitive information or cause other forms of damage.

For IT professionals, staying on top of Microsoft Patch Tuesday is essential to maintaining the security and integrity of their systems. Failure to install these updates in a timely manner can leave systems vulnerable to attack, which can result in data breaches, system failures, and other serious consequences.

The September 2015 Microsoft Patch Tuesday

The September 2015 Microsoft Patch Tuesday was a particularly important one, as it included several critical updates for Windows and Internet Explorer. These updates addressed vulnerabilities that could allow remote code execution, information disclosure, and other serious security issues.

One of the most important updates in the September 2015 release was MS15-094, which addressed a vulnerability in Internet Explorer that could allow an attacker to take complete control of a user's system. This update was rated as critical and was considered a top priority for IT departments around the world.

The Impact of Microsoft Patch Tuesday

The impact of Microsoft Patch Tuesday cannot be overstated. By providing regular security updates and patches, Microsoft helps to protect its users from a wide range of threats, including malware, viruses, and other forms of cybercrime. These updates also help to ensure the stability and reliability of Microsoft products, which is essential for businesses and individuals alike.

By staying on top of Microsoft Patch Tuesday and ensuring that all updates are installed in a timely manner, IT departments can help to keep their systems secure and protected. This requires ongoing vigilance and attention to detail, but the benefits are well worth the effort.

Table of Keywords

Keyword	Description
Microsoft Patch Tuesday	The day when Microsoft releases its monthly security updates
Security updates	Updates designed to fix vulnerabilities and bugs in software
Vulnerabilities	Weaknesses in software that can be exploited by hackers
IT department	The department responsible for managing a company's technology systems
Remote code execution	The ability for an attacker to run commands on a user's system
Information disclosure	The unauthorized release of sensitive information
Malware	Software designed to harm a computer system or network
Virus	Software that replicates itself and spreads to other systems
Cybercrime	Criminal activity that takes place online or through technology

In conclusion, Microsoft Patch Tuesday is a critical day for IT departments around the world. By staying on top of these updates and ensuring that all security patches are installed in a timely manner, IT professionals can help to protect their systems from a wide range of threats and vulnerabilities.

Concluding Thoughts on Microsoft Patch Tuesday September 2015

As we come to the end of this article, we hope that you have gained valuable insights into the latest security updates released by Microsoft on Patch Tuesday in September 2015. With the increasing frequency and severity of cyber attacks, it is essential for individuals and organizations to stay vigilant and proactive in protecting themselves against potential threats.

By installing the latest patches and updates for your Microsoft products, you can significantly reduce the risk of vulnerabilities being exploited by hackers and cybercriminals. Additionally, by following best practices such as using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and avoiding suspicious emails or links, you can further enhance your online security.

Moreover, it is crucial to note that the importance of regular patching goes beyond just protecting your own devices and data. By maintaining up-to-date software, you are also contributing to the overall security of the internet ecosystem. As more and more devices become interconnected and reliant on software, the impact of a single vulnerable system can have far-reaching consequences.

While Patch Tuesday may seem like an inconvenience or a chore, it is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are doing your part to keep yourself and others safe online. Additionally, with the growing trend of remote work and online communication, the need for reliable and secure technology has never been more critical.

We encourage you to take advantage of the resources provided by Microsoft and other cybersecurity experts to stay informed and educated about the latest threats and vulnerabilities. By staying informed, you can make informed decisions about how to safeguard your digital assets and protect yourself from potential harm.

In conclusion, we would like to stress the importance of taking action and implementing the necessary security measures to protect yourself and your organization from cyber threats. With the ever-evolving nature of technology and the increasing sophistication of attackers, it is essential to stay proactive and vigilant in the face of potential risks.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article, and we hope that you found it informative and useful. If you have any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Together, we can make the internet a safer and more secure place for everyone.