Critical Patches Issued for Microsoft Products, January 12, 2021

DESCRIPTION:
Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Microsoft products, the
most severe of which could allow for remote code execution. Successful
exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could result in
an attacker gaining the same privileges as the logged-on user. Depending
on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then
install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts
with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer
user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate
with administrative user rights.

IMPACT:
Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Microsoft products, the
most severe of which could allow for remote code execution.

A full list of all vulnerabilities can be found at the link below:
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-us/security-guidance

Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities
could result in an attacker gaining the same privileges as the logged-on
user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker
could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new
accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to
have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those
who operate with administrative user rights.

SYSTEM AFFECTED:
* Microsoft Windows
* Microsoft Edge (EdgeHTML-based)
* Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office Services and Web Apps
* Microsoft Windows Codecs Library
* Visual Studio
* SQL Server
* Microsoft Malware Protection Engine
* .NET Core
* .NET Repository
* ASP .NET
* Azure

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Following actions are recommended to be taken:
* Apply appropriate patches or appropriate mitigations provided by
Microsoft to vulnerable systems immediately after appropriate testing.
* Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative
rights) to diminish the effects of a successful attack.
* Remind all users not to visit untrusted websites or follow links
provided by unknown or untrusted sources.
* Inform and educate users regarding threats posed by hypertext links
contained in emails or attachments especially from untrusted sources.
* Apply the Principle of Least Privilege to all systems and services.

REFERENCES:
https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/photoshop/apsb21-01.html