SANS ISC: Microsoft Releases Exchange Emergency Patch to Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerability

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Microsoft today released an emergency patch for Microsoft Exchange Server. The patch fixes seven different vulnerabilities. Four of these vulnerabilities are currently being used in targeted attacks.

Quick Summary / What you need to do:

1. Verify that you are not already compromised. Microsoft has some indicators here.
2. Patch. But currently, the patch is only available if you applied recent updates. So you may have to apply them first if you are behind. See the first table below for details.
3. Review your Exchange Server configuration. Microsoft has tips here.

The attacks gain access via a Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability. Exploiting this vulnerability requires access to port 443. This vulnerability can be used to trick the Exchange server to send requests essentially to itself, bypassing authentication. This will give access to an insecure deserialization vulnerability that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM. Finally, two file upload vulnerabilities are used to upload files to the system.

Microsoft observed the attackers uploading web shells for persistent access and exfiltrating credentials and email from affected servers.

Microsoft currently only makes patches available for the exact versions listed below in the "Patch Available For" column. You will first need to apply the respective RU/CU before applying today's patch.

March 2, 2021 Exchange Emergency Patch Summary.

Related Microsoft Posts:

HAFNIUM targeting Exchange Servers with 0-day exploits
Multiple Security Updates Released for Exchange Server
Released: March 2021 Exchange Server Security Updates
Description of the security update for Microsoft Exchange Server 2019, 2016, and 2013: March 2, 2021 (KB5000871)
Description of the security update for Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 3: March 2, 2021 (KB5000978)

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Johannes B. Ullrich, Ph.D. , Dean of Research, SANS.edu
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