Introduction:

In cybersecurity, patch management is often overlooked despite its critical role in fortifying defenses against cyber threats. This blog post highlights the importance of patch management using the example of the CVE-2022-38028 Microsoft Windows Print Spooler Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability has been known for almost two years and is linked to a recent APT28 attack. CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog has recently included this vulnerability. Ignoring vulnerabilities, even long-standing ones, poses a greater risk than zero-day exploits.

Microsoft Windows Print Spooler Privilege Escalation Vulnerability:

CVE-2022-38028 vulnerability highlights the consequences of neglecting patch management. Discovered over two years ago, it gained attention recently due to its association with APT28. It is also listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, indicating its exploitation by malicious actors. Despite being aware of it for almost two years, many organizations have not remediated it promptly. Federal agencies are mandated by Binding Operational Directive (BOD) 22-01 to patch known exploited vulnerabilities within 3 weeks.

But why do organizations struggle to patch vulnerabilities promptly?

The answer lies in the complexity of patch management. Identifying vulnerabilities, prioritizing patches, and deploying them across diverse IT environments is no small task. Resource constraints, legacy systems, and operational disruptions complicate the patching process.

Neglecting patch management can have serious consequences, including data breaches, system compromise, reputational damage, financial losses, and regulatory non-compliance. This is especially true for organizations that handle sensitive data, such as healthcare and finance.

Organizations must prioritize patch management as a critical part of their cybersecurity strategy. Automation tools can streamline the patch deployment process and reduce exposure to potential threats. Regular training sessions can educate staff about the importance of timely patching and help them recognize suspicious activities.

Conclusion:

The incident related to CVE-2022-38028 reminds us that patch management is critical in today’s threat landscape. Organizations should understand that the risk of known vulnerabilities, even old ones, is much greater than that of zero-day exploits. By adopting proactive patch management practices, organizations can strengthen their defenses and reduce the constant threat of cyber-attacks.

The question arises: in a world where cyber-attacks are constantly making headlines, can organizations afford to neglect the importance of patch management?

References:

1. U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). (n.d.). Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog. Retrieved from https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog

2. Microsoft Security Response Center. (2022). Microsoft Windows Print Spooler Vulnerability CVE-2022-38028. Retrieved from https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/04/14/microsoft-windows-print-spooler-vulnerability-cve-2022-38028/

3. U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). (2022). Binding Operational Directive 22-01: Reducing the Significant Risk of Known Exploited Vulnerabilities. Retrieved from https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/CISA%20BOD%2022-01-508%20Compliant%20Copy.pdf

4. CVE 2022-38028 Microsoft Windows Print Spooler Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-38028