Newsletter Archives

• MS-DEFCON 2: .NET and Remote Desktop

  Posted on February 9, 2023 at 02:45 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 20.06.1 • 2023-02-09

  

  By Susan Bradley

  Defer until the February updates are fully understood.

  Even though I don’t anticipate any specific problem with February’s updates, it’s always hard to know for sure. For that reason, the MS-DEFCON level is raised to 2. Don’t be surprised by a Microsoft update before you’re prepared to deal with it!

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (20.06.1, 2023-02-09).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON .NET Framework, Alerts, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 2, Patch Lady Posts, Remote Desktop, Windows 11

• May updates fix risks to networks

  Posted on May 16, 2022 at 02:42 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  PATCH WATCH

  

  By Susan Bradley

  It’s looking like consumers may have an issue-free month — if they don’t run Windows 11 machines — and businesses will have to decide whether they want to patch sooner versus later.

  Once again, we have a vulnerability that has already been used and abused, but the good news for home and consumer users is that the vulnerability under fire is seen only in Active Directory domains.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.20.0, 2022-05-16).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Patch Watch .NET Framework, Active Directory, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, browsers, Patch Lady Posts, Patch Watch, Windows Update

• .NET Framework oddities and ESU issues highlight May patching

  Posted on May 18, 2020 at 01:05 CDT by Tracey Capen • Comment in the Forums

  PATCH WATCH

  By Susan Bradley

  For some Windows 7 users, May’s .NET Framework security updates proved to be a patching speed bump.

  On Patch Tuesday (May 12), Microsoft released .NET fixes for three new vulnerabilities. CVE-2020-0605 is a remote-code execution threat, CV-2020-1066 might allow elevation of privileges, and CVE-2020-1108 could result in denial-of-service attacks.

  But soon after the updates appeared, Win7 users reported installation failures. The upshot? The patches generally worked fine on systems with genuine (paid) and up-to-date Extended Security Updates (ESU) subscriptions.

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 17.19.0 (2020-05-18).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Patch Watch .NET Framework, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Extended support, Patch failures, Win7 vulnerabilities

• Here’s why we’re not patching Internet Explorer

  Posted on September 30, 2019 at 01:05 CDT by Tracey Capen • Comment in the Forums

  PATCH WATCH

  By Susan Bradley

  There’s no way to sugar-coat this: The current Windows updating situation is a disaster.

  No, I’m not talking about the usual round of side effects in the second–Patch Tuesday updates, the lack of overall patch quality, or the known issues that impact only a small set of Windows users but that we’re still forced to track.

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 16.35.0 (2019-09-30).

  Patch Watch .NET Framework, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Internet Explorer, Office updates, Patch problems, Windows Updates

• August update warnings prove overblown

  Posted on August 19, 2019 at 01:05 CDT by Tracey Capen • Comment in the Forums

  PATCH WATCH

  By Susan Bradley

  Recent headlines might make you think we’re deep into a Windows-patching panic.

  The buzz centered on August’s Windows updates — specifically, more fixes for the ongoing Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) threat, aka BlueKeep. But the predictions of doom were, as usual, well off course.

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 16.29.0 (2019-08-19).

  Patch Watch .NET Framework, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Office updates, Update previews, Windows Updates

• History of cumulative updates for .NET Framework for Win10 1809 and Server 2019

  Posted on April 3, 2019 at 19:30 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  Patch Lady Susan Bradley just discovered this gem.

  Yes, there was a cumulative update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.7.2, for Win10 1809, released on April 2.

  Windows Patches/Security .NET Framework

• What’s happening with Win7 .NET updates?

  Posted on October 21, 2017 at 13:29 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  Just got this from reader OC:

  Today I received from MS new updates for my Win 7 Pro, x64, SP1 (to be installed when I decide to), for .NET 4.6.4, 4.61. 4.62, 4.7; another for 4.5.2 and a third for 3.5.1.
  They are, respectively, kb4040973; … 77; … 80 (the first 5 digits are the same for all three.)

  Further, the message says they replace kb2978120 and … 28.

  Now, when going to the MS page with the explanation and I click on the corresponding kb, say …73 to go to the site where there is a link to the MS site where I can download it, that takes me to a page for …86; when I click on the next one, it also takes me to a page for a different kb, and same for the third one. And they are all include fixes, not the ones advertised in the message, but for … 4.7 ! (Which, according to your site, is best avoided, for now.)

  I hope this can be cleared out in the not too distant future. In the meantime, I am keeping this update parked “unticked” in my machine, until that clarification happens, or until postings in your site advise that it is OK to go ahead and install them as they are, or…

  Windows Patches/Security .NET Framework, .NET patches

• .NET Framework 4.7 is now available for Win7 SP1

  Posted on June 14, 2017 at 07:49 CDT by PKCano • Comment in the Forums

  This question from poster @CraigS526

  I upgraded not long ago to .Net Framework 4.6.2 JUST to get Longer File names and had No Issues. It never came up in Win Update to go from 4.6.1 — to ( .2 ) — so IF it is Not an option in June, is there any reason NOT to Install 4.7 Manually?

  .NET Framework 4.7 has just recently become available for Win7 SP1. Perhaps it would be a good idea to do some research on the problems with installation and use in Win7 SP1 before moving forward.

  Read here about the DirectX Dependency

  The DirectX dependency is now available in the Preview of Monthly Rollup released via Windows Update on May 16, 2017. The Monthly Rollup is also available for deployment via WSUS and the Microsoft Update Catalog under the following Knowledge Base Article ids:

  Windows 7 SP1 and Server 2008 R2 SP2: KB4019265
  Windows Server 2012: KB4019218

  The DirectX dependency is also available outside of the Monthly Rollup as an independent/standalone package in the Microsoft Update Catalog. Due to its relatively smaller size as compared to the Monthly Rollup package, this standalone package may be preferable for ISVs that need to redistribute the .NET Framework 4.7 with their application.

  Please see the following for more information: The .NET Framework 4.7 installation is blocked on Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012 because of a missing d3dcompiler update.

  And some information on known issues can be found here.

  .NET Framework 4.7 is also available for Win8.1 as a recommended update through Windows Update as of June 2017. It is also available for versions Win10, and as a part of Win10 Creators Update.

  Join us for further discussion on .NET Framework 4.7 on Win7 SP1 at Our .Net Framework 4.7 Upgrade Intentions

  Other, Uncategorized .NET 4.7, .NET Framework, NET Framework 4.7, Win7 SP1, windows 7

• .NET Framework patch numbering screw-up?

  Posted on September 25, 2016 at 07:35 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  Message from JO:

  I have two .NET Framework updates pending on my Windows 7 Service Pack 1 64-bit computer.  KB3102433 – “Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.1 for Windows 7 for x64” published 2/9/2016 is a recommended update.  Being offered this update is understandable because the latest version of .NET Framework installed on my computer is 4.5.2, at least that is what is shown under programs on the control panel.  KB3179930 – “Reliability Rollup for Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2, 4.6, and 4.6.1 on Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 for x64” published 9/22/2016 is an optional update.  The information that Microsoft provides under the “More information” link references a different KB number (3179949) and makes no mention of .NET Framework 4.5.2.  In fact, the prerequisite is that .NET Framework 4.6 or 4.6.1 must be installed.
   
  I am in no hurry to install any of these.  Nevertheless, I am wondering whether KB3179930 is actually an update that is designed for .NET Framework 4.5.2 as advertised in the title of this update.

  Anybody know for sure?

  Windows Patches/Security .NET Framework

• MS09-054 patch zaps Firefox

  Posted on October 17, 2009 at 07:14 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  Now it looks like this round of patches includes one, MS09-054, that messes up Firefox.

  If you have .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 installed, and you use Firefox, you’re opening up your system to all sorts of mayhem. The mayhem was supposed to be plugged by MS09-054, but it only made the situation worse. The problem? A Firefox plug-in that Microsoft installs called the Windows Presentation Foundation.

  Just in from the SANS Internet Storm Center:

  if you use Windows, install patches, and also have Firefox, oddly enough you will want to read the following Microsoft KB article entitled “How to remove the .NET Framework Assistant for Firefox“

  UPDATE: Ryan Naraine at ZDNet has the details. Yes, Microsoft installed a “patch” with a security hole that affects Firefox. If you have automatic updates turned on, or you got fooled into installing MS09-054, you have to go into Firefox and manually turn off the bleeding add-on that Microsoft surreptitiously put on your computer.

  REALLY COOL UPDATE:

  I just re-started Firefox and it caught the two suckers. “Firefox has determined that the following add-ons are known to cause stability or security problems.” The culprits: .NET Framework Assistant and Windows Presentation Foundation. Both are blocked by default. Restart Firefox and you’ll be rid of the pests.

  Take THAT Microsoft…

  ANOTHER UPDATE: One reader left a comment about this patch, and I wanted to clarify. Yes, indeed, this patch was supposed to fix the earlier security hole created when Microsoft took it upon itself to install the .NET Framework Assistant in Firefox. (I cried about that patch in a blog entry four months ago.) While MS09-054 was supposed to fix the hole in Firefox introduced by Microsoft, it’s much smarter to simply disable Microsoft’s .NET Framework Assistant for Firefox. That’s exactly what Firefox has done. (Indeed, it’s what Microsoft recommended!) It isn’t clear, at this point, if MS09-054 makes the problem worse or not – thus the markthrough edits to the beginning of this post.

  Windows Patches/Security .NET Framework, Firefox, MS09-054, Windows Presentation Foundation

• MS-DEFCON 4: Apply all outstanding patches except 951847 and 960715, and watch out for other problems

  Posted on April 5, 2009 at 06:00 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  It’s time to get patched up.

  Last month’s crop of Black Tuesday patches turned out pretty good. One of them, KB 959772, is a CYA patch that lets people play music they’ve already bought from Microsoft. None of the three seems to be causing undue heartache.

  I still recommend that you HOLD OFF on these patches:

  KB 951847 is a mess of a patch of a patch of a patch of the .NET Framework in Windows XP. I’m beginning to think that it’ll never get fixed – you’re better off waiting until you upgrade to Vista or (better) Windows 7, which have .NET baked in.

  KB 960715, the ActiveX killbit update, still breaks many programs. I don’t think the cure is any better than the disease. Of course, you’re using Firefox (or Chrome) – or any Web browser that doesn’t directly expose your machine to ActiveX infections, right?

  KB 967715, the Conficker-killer that doesn’t work, is worth installing, but make sure you understand its limitations, as I posted in mid-March.

  I’m still ambivalent about Windows XP Service Pack 3, KB 936929. If you’ve been keeping up on all of your patches, it’s a toss-up. If you decide to install it, and you have problems, be sure to check out Microsoft’s Knowledge Base article KB 950718.

  I’m also ambivalent about Internet Explorer 8. Mark Edwards has a good analysis of the situation on the Windows Secrets web site.

  That brings us down to MS-DEFCON 4: There are isolated problems with current patches, but they are well-known and documented here. Check this site to see if you’re affected and if things look OK, go ahead and patch.

  To get patched up, click Start, All Programs. Near the top of the list you see either Windows Update or Microsoft Update. Click on that and tell Windows Update that you want to perform a “Custom” update. Be prepared to spend ten to fifteen minutes – longer, if you haven’t patched in a while. When you’re done, make sure you have Automatic Updates set to “Notify but don’t download or install” by clicking Start, Control Panel, Security Center.

  My general admonition about applying hardware driver patches still applies: Ain’t broke, don’t fix. That is, unless you have a very specific reason for installing a new driver, don’t do it.

  Windows Patches/Security .NET Framework, 936929, 950718, 951847, 958690, 959772, 960225, 960715, 967715, ActiveX, Conficker, IE8, MS-DEFCON 4, WinXP SP3

• .NET Patch of a Patch of a Patch

  Posted on March 17, 2009 at 20:23 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  On January 30, I talked about the problems with the .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 patch known as KB 951847. At the time I recommended you avoid applying the patch. I continue to recommend that you avoid applying the patch.

  If you install the “.NET Framework 3.5 SP 1” patch you actually get three versions of .NET Framework installed on your system, regardless of which version(s) of .NET you may already have: .NET Framework 2.0 SP2, .NET Framework 3.0 SP2, and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1.

  That’s a Real Big Deal because different versions – or even different Service Packs – of .NET Framework are notorious for their incompatibilities. If you install a program, and it installs .NET Framework, you better keep that version around, if you want to continue to run the application.

  Sound complicated? That ain’t the half of it.

  Today Microsoft posted a patch for the .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 patch. Dubbed KB 967190, the patch fixes a problem with .NET 3.5 SP1 that makes it impossible to use the XPS document viewer on 64-bit versions of Vista.

  The KB article goes on to say:

  You must have .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 or .NET Framework 3.0 SP2 installed to apply this hotfix.

  But there’s no separate confirmation that .NET Framework 3.0 SP2 also has the bug.

  To make things even more, uh, entertaining, if you look at the patch, it doesn’t patch .NET Framework at all. It patches the XPSviewer.exe application.

  Oy.

  Windows Patches/Security .NET Framework, KB 951847, KB 967190, XPS Viewer