TA15-119A: Top 30 Targeted High Risk Vulnerabilities

["US-CERT" <US-CERT () ncas us-cert gov>]

NCCIC / US-CERT

National Cyber Awareness System:

TA15-119A: Top 30 Targeted High Risk Vulnerabilities [ https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA15-119A ] 04/29/2015 12:00 
AM EDT 
Original release date: April 29, 2015

Systems Affected

Systems running unpatched software from Adobe, Microsoft, Oracle, or OpenSSL. 

Overview

Cyber threat actors continue to exploit unpatched software to conduct attacks against critical infrastructure 
organizations. As many as 85 percent of targeted attacks are preventable [1] [ 
http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cbr-scrt/tp-strtgs-eng.aspx ].

This Alert provides information on the 30 most commonly exploited vulnerabilities used in these attacks, along with 
prevention and mitigation recommendations.

It is based on analysis completed by the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) and was developed in 
collaboration with our partners from Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the Australian Cyber Security Centre.

Description

Unpatched vulnerabilities allow malicious actors entry points into a network. A set of vulnerabilities are consistently 
targeted in observed attacks.

Impact

A successful network intrusion can have severe impacts, particularly if the compromise becomes public and sensitive 
information is exposed. Possible impacts include:


  * Temporary or permanent loss of sensitive or proprietary information, 
  * Disruption to regular operations, 
  * Financial losses relating to restoring systems and files, and 
  * Potential harm to an organization’s reputation. 

Solution

_Maintain up-to-date software._

The attack vectors frequently used by malicious actors such as email attachments, compromised “watering hole” websites, 
and other tools often rely on taking advantage of unpatched vulnerabilities found in widely used software applications. 
Patching is the process of repairing vulnerabilities found in these software components.

It is necessary for all organizations to establish a strong ongoing patch management process to ensure the proper 
preventive measures are taken against potential threats. The longer a system remains unpatched, the longer it is 
vulnerable to being compromised. Once a patch has been publicly released, the underlying vulnerability can be reverse 
engineered by malicious actors in order to create an exploit. This process has been documented to take anywhere from 
24-hours to four days. Timely patching is one of the lowest cost yet most effective steps an organization can take to 
minimize its exposure to the threats facing its network.

_Patch commonly exploited vulnerabilities._

Executives should ensure their organization’s information security professionals have patched the following software 
vulnerabilities. Please see patching information for version specifics.

*Microsoft* 

*CVE*

*Affected Products*

*Patching Information*

*​*CVE-2006-3227 [ https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2006-3227 ] ​Internet Explorer ​Microsoft 
Malware Protection Encyclopedia Entry  [ 
http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/threat/encyclopedia/entry.aspx?Name=Exploit:HTML/Expascii.gen#tab=1 ] 

CVE-2008-2244 [ https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2008-2244 ]

 

Office Word

 

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-042 [ https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/ms08-042 ]

 

CVE-2009-3129 [ https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2009-3129 ]

 

Office
Office for Mac
Open XML File Format Converter for Mac
Office Excel Viewer
Excel
Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

 

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS09-067 [ https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/MS09-067 ]

 ​CVE-2009-3674 [ https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2009-3674 ] ​Internet Explorer ​Microsoft 
Security Bulletin MS09-072 [ https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/ms09-072 ] CVE-2010-0806​ [ 
https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2010-0806 ] ​Internet Explorer ​Microsoft Security Bulletin 
MS10-018 [ https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/ms10-018 ] 

CVE-2010-3333 [ https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2010-3333 ]

 

Office
Office for Mac
Open XML File Format Converter for Mac

 

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-087 [ https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/ms10-087 ]

 

CVE-2011-0101 [ https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2011-0101 ]

 

Excel

   [ https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/ms11-021 ] 

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS11-021 [ https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/ms11-021 ]

 

CVE-2012-0158 [ https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2012-0158 ]

 

Office
SQL Server
BizTalk Server
Commerce Server
Visual FoxPro
Visual Basic

 

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS12-027 [ https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/MS12-027 ]

 

CVE-2012-1856 [ https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2012-1856 ]

 

Office
SQL Server
Commerce Server
Host Integration Server
Visual FoxPro Visual Basic

 

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS12-060 [ https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/MS12-060 ]

 ​CVE-2012-4792 [ https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2012-4792 ] ​Internet Explorer ​Microsoft 
Security Bulletin MS13-008 [ https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/MS13-008 ] CVE-2013-0074 [ 
https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2013-0074 ]​ ​Silverlight and Developer Runtime ​Microsoft 
Security Bulletin MS13-022 [ https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/MS13-022 ] CVE-2013-1347 [ 
https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2013-1347 ] ​Internet Explorer ​Microsoft Security Bulletin 
MS13-038 [ https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/MS13-038 ] CVE-2014-0322​ [ 
https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2014-0322 ] ​​Internet Explorer ​Microsoft Security Bulletin 
MS14-012 [ https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/ms14-012 ] 

CVE-2014-1761 [ https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2014-1761 ]

 

Microsoft Word
Office Word Viewer
Office Compatibility Pack
Office for Mac
Word Automation Services on SharePoint Server
Office Web Apps
Office Web Apps Server

 Microsoft Security Bulletin MS14-017 [ https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/ms14-017 ]  ​CVE-2014-1776 [ 
https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2014-1776 ] ​Internet Explorer ​Microsoft Security Bulletin 
MS14-021  [ https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/MS14-021 ] CVE-2014-4114 [ 
https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2014-4114 ]  ​Windows ​Microsoft Security Bulletin MS14-060 [ 
https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/ms14-060 ] 
    
*Oracle* 

*CVE*

*Affected Products*

*Patching Information*

CVE-2012-1723 [ https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2012-1723 ]

 

Java Development Kit, SDK, and JRE

 Oracle Java SE Critical Patch Update Advisory - June 2012 [ 
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/javacpujun2012-1515912.html ]  

CVE-2013-2465 [ https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2013-2465 ]

 

Java Development Kit and JRE

 

Oracle Java SE Critical Patch Update Advisory - June 2013 [ 
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/javacpujun2013-1899847.html ]

 
    
*Adobe* 

*CVE*

*Affected Products*

*Patching Information*

​CVE-2009-3953 [ https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2009-3953 ] Reader Acrobat ​  Adobe Security 
Bulletin APSB10-02​ [ http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb10-02.html ] ​CVE-2010-0188 [ 
https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2010-0188 ] ​Reader Acrobat  ​Adobe Security Bulletin APSB10-07 [ 
http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb10-07.html ] ​CVE-2010-2883 [ 
https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2010-2883 ] Reader Acrobat ​  ​Adobe Security Bulletin APSB10-21 [ 
http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb10-21.html ] ​CVE-2011-0611 [ 
https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2011-0611 ] ​Flash Player AIR Reader Acrobat  Adobe Security 
Bulletin APSB11-07 [ http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb11-07.html ] Adobe Security Bulletin 
APSB11-08​ [ http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb11-07.html ]  ​CVE-2011-2462 [ 
https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2011-2462 ] Reader Acrobat ​  ​Adobe Security Bulletin APSB11-30 [ 
http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb11-30.html ] ​CVE-2013-0625 [ 
https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2013-0625 ] ColdFusion​ ​Adobe Security Bulletin APSB13-03 [ 
http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb13-03.html ] ​CVE-2013-0632 [ 
https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2013-0632 ] ​ColdFusion ​Adobe Security Bulletin APSB13-03 [ 
http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb13-03.html ] ​CVE-2013-2729 [ 
https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2013-2729 ] ​Reader Acrobat  ​Adobe Security Bulletin APSB13-15 [ 
http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb13-15.html ] ​CVE-2013-3336 [ 
https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2013-3336 ] ​ColdFusion ​Adobe Security Bulletin APSB13-13 [ 
http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb13-13.html ] ​CVE-2013-5326  [ 
https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2013-5326 ]      ​ColdFusion ​Adobe Security Bulletin APSB13-27 [ 
http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb13-27.html ] 

CVE-2014-0564 [ https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2014-0564 ]

 

Flash Player
AIR
AIR SDK & Compiler

 

Adobe Security Bulletin APSB14-22  [ https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsb14-22.html ]

 
  
*OpenSSL* 

*CVE*

*Affected Product*

*Patching Information*

CVE-2014-0160 [ https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2014-0160 ]

 

OpenSSL

 

CERT Vulnerability Note VU#720951 [ http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/720951 ]

 
    
_Implement the following four mitigation strategies._

As part of a comprehensive security strategy, network administrators should implement the following four mitigation 
strategies, which can help prevent targeted cyber attacks.

*Ranking*

*Mitigation Strategy*

*Rationale*

1

 

Use *application whitelisting* to help prevent malicious software and unapproved programs from running.

 

Application whitelisting is one of the best security strategies as it allows only specified programs to run, while 
blocking all others, including malicious software.

 

2

 

*Patch applications* such as Java, PDF viewers, Flash, web browsers and Microsoft Office.

 

Vulnerable applications and operating systems are the target of most attacks. Ensuring these are patched with the 
latest updates greatly reduces the number of exploitable entry points available to an attacker.

 

3

 

*Patch operating system* vulnerabilities.

 

4

 

*Restrict administrative privileges* to operating systems and applications based on user duties.

 

Restricting these privileges may prevent malware from running or limit its capability to spread through the network.

 

It is recommended that users review US-CERT Security Tip (ST13-003) [ https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST13-003 ] and 
CCIRC’s Mitigation Guidelines for Advanced Persistent Threats [ 
http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/cybr-ctr/2011/tr11-002-eng.aspx ] for additional background information and to 
assist in the detection of, response to, and recovery from malicious activity linked to advance persistent threats [2 [ 
http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/cybr-ctr/2011/tr11-002-eng.aspx ], 3 [ 
https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST13-003 ]].

References

  * [1] Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre, Top 4 Strategies to Mitigate Targeted Cyber Intrusions [ 
http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cbr-scrt/tp-strtgs-eng.aspx ] 
  * [2] Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre, TR11-002, Mitigation Guidelines for Advanced Persistent Threats [ 
http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/cybr-ctr/2011/tr11-002-eng.aspx ] 
  * [3] US-CERT Security Tip (ST13-003): Handling Destructive Malware [ https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST13-003 ] 

Revision History

  * April 29, 2015: Initial release 
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