Microsofts Long- Overlooked Vulnerability Leaves Billions At Risk Of Cyber Attack

A recent discovery by researchers at 0patch has highlighted a critical zero-day vulnerability in Microsoft’s NTLM technology, leaving users of various Windows generations exposed to potential cyber attacks. The bug affects all Windows Server and Workstation versions from Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 to the latest, fully updated Windows 11 24H2 and Server 2022.

The vulnerability allows attackers to steal NTLM credentials by forcing users to view a specially designed file in Windows Explorer, compromising sensitive information with ease. This is particularly alarming given that NTLM passwords are weak and can be easily brute-forced using modern hardware capable of performing complex number-crunching tasks. The New Technology LAN Manager (NTLM) suite of protocols employed by Windows systems provides user authentication and confidentiality, but its ancient design makes it an insecure solution.

Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and released an official fix for many security flaws in December’s Patch Tuesday update, including one already being actively exploited. However, a critical zero-day vulnerability remains unaddressed by the company, leaving users relying on third-party services like 0patch to secure their systems.

0patch has developed a “micropatch” that provides an alternative way for customers to fix the hole without requiring system restarts or process modifications. This micropatch will remain free until Microsoft releases an official fix. Notably, there are three other previously disclosed NTLM-related flaws that Microsoft has not fixed, for which 0patch currently offers free updates.

Approximately 40 percent of Microsoft’s users are presently using 0patch to secure their systems against flaws in the “won’t fix” category. This trend is particularly notable among users installing micropatches on legacy Windows systems and Office releases. While 0patch still offers security support for Windows 7, it will provide five extra years of security patches for Windows 10 after October 2025.

The recent discovery serves as a reminder of the importance of timely patching and the need for robust security solutions to protect users from emerging threats. As Microsoft continues to address various security issues, users must remain vigilant in ensuring their systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches and solutions.