Microsoft to release two updates on Tuesday
Microsoft’s Security Bulletin Advance Notification for September 2012 contains only two important updates. The two important updates are for Microsoft Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2010 and Microsoft Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2010 and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager.
While there are only two bulletins, this could still be a busy month for organizations since Microsoft will be issuing an update next month that will deprecate the use of certificates that are less than 1024 bit encrypted. Microsoft will definitely push this update out in October.
The light patch month in September will allow organizations to prepare for this, which is great as it has a potential to break things if applications are still using outdated certificates. It almost seems as if Microsoft is intentionally giving organizations a light patch month so they can focus on updating their legacy certificates!
Per Microsoft, some known issues that customers may encounter after applying this update may include:
- Error messages when browsing to web sites that have SSL certificates with keys that are less than 1024 bits
- Problems enrolling for certificates when a certificate request attempts to utilize a key that is less than 1024 bits
- Difficulties creating or consuming email (S/MIME) messages that utilize less than 1024 bit keys for signatures or encryption
- Difficulties installing Active X controls that were signed with less than 1024 bit signatures
- Difficulties installing applications that were signed with less than 1024 bit signatures (unless they were signed prior to January 1, 2010, which will not be blocked by default).
Author: Marcus Carey, security researcher at Rapid7.