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Busy teams don’t need a CVE wall—they need a short, safe patch plan. This month’s Microsoft release is big (100+ CVEs fixed). Below is a pragmatic 7‑patch shortlist for SMB environments, with why it matters, where it bites, and how to roll it out without breaking day‑to‑day work.

The 7 patches to prioritize

1. Windows NTLM Elevation of Privilege (EoP)

• Why it matters: Lets a local attacker escalate to SYSTEM and pivot laterally. NTLM is still widely enabled in SMB networks.

• Affected surface: Domain‑joined Windows clients/servers with NTLM in use.

• Action: Patch all domain‑joined systems; audit and reduce NTLM usage. Monitor for unusual admin token use.

2. Windows Kerberos (Auth bypass/privilege issues)

• Why it matters: Kerberos is the backbone of AD authentication. Weaknesses here enable domain escalation or SSO abuse.

• Affected surface: Domain controllers, Windows members using Kerberos tickets (every AD).

• Action: Patch DCs first; clear/renew tickets after maintenance. Review service account SPNs and constrained delegation.

3. Windows SMB Remote Code Execution (RCE)

• Why it matters: Network‑exposed RCEs on SMB are worm‑bait and perfect for lateral movement.

• Affected surface: File servers, any host with SMB open to LAN/WAN.

• Action: Patch file servers early. Restrict SMB exposure to LAN only, segment by VLAN, block SMB over VPN/guest networks.

4. Windows Message Queuing (MSMQ) RCE

• Why it matters: MSMQ is often installed and forgotten. RCE here gives initial footholds on servers.

• Affected surface: Servers with MSMQ role enabled (legacy apps, line‑of‑business services).

• Action: Identify MSMQ servers; patch and consider removing MSMQ where unused. Restrict access to app subnets only.

5. Windows RRAS (Routing and Remote Access Service) issues

• Why it matters: Edge/VPN roles amplify risk. RRAS bugs can enable traversal or code execution.

• Affected surface: VPN/edge servers, branch connectivity.

• Action: Patch edge first. Confirm only required protocols/ports are enabled. Review VPN split‑tunnel and auth policies.

6. Win32k/Graphics (Kernel/GUI) Elevation of Privilege

• Why it matters: Classic local EoPs used post‑phish to break out of user context to admin/SYSTEM.

• Affected surface: Workstations, RDS hosts, VDI pools, any user‑facing Windows.

• Action: Patch user devices quickly. Pair with browser/email hardening and EDR.

7. Microsoft Office/SharePoint/Exchange fixes (tenant hygiene)

• Why it matters: Office client vulnerabilities are phish magnets; SharePoint/Exchange can be directly exploited in hybrid/on‑prem setups.

• Affected surface: Office on endpoints; any on‑prem/hybrid SharePoint/Exchange.

• Action: Update Office channels; patch on‑prem servers. Lock down external access, enforce modern auth, and review upload/attachment policies.

Fast rollout plan (SMB‑friendly)

• Day 0–1 (Core auth and edge)

  • Patch DCs, ADFS, and edge/VPN/RRAS servers first.

  • Patch SMB/MSMQ servers used by many users.

  • Validate: Logon, GPO application, VPN connectivity, file shares.

• Day 2–3 (Servers and critical apps)

  • Patch remaining servers (RDS, application, print).

  • Validate: Line‑of‑business apps, printing, queue processing.

• Day 3–5 (Clients and Office)

  • Push client updates and Office updates via WSUS/Intune.

  • Validate: Browser, Office macros/add‑ins, printing.

• Post‑patch checks

  • Clear/renew Kerberos tickets on key systems.

  • Review event logs for auth, SMB, MSMQ errors.

  • Run a quick SMB and MSMQ exposure scan on internal subnets.

Quick verification checklist

• Domain Controllers: No KDC/Kerberos errors; logons and GPOs OK.

• File servers: Shares accessible; no SMB auth loops or signature errors.

• VPN/RRAS: Users connect; split‑tunnel/routes correct.

• MSMQ apps: Queues process; no backlog/timeouts.

• Office/SharePoint: Open/save works; add‑ins load; tenant access intact.

Risk reduction in parallel (15 minutes)

• Block SMB from guest/VPN segments; allow only to file servers.

• Disable/Remove MSMQ on servers where it’s not strictly needed.

• Enforce MFA on admin accounts; use just‑in‑time local admin where possible.

• Turn on ASR rules for Office/macros if licensing allows.

• Ensure EDR is in protect mode and tuned for token theft/LSASS tampering.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Patching clients without domain controllers first (can cause auth weirdness).

• Ignoring MSMQ/older roles—these linger and become soft targets.

• Leaving SMB open across flat networks; segment or it becomes lateral‑movement express.

• Skipping reboots on kernel patches—vulnerable code stays resident.

• Not validating Line‑of‑Business workflows; patch windows need quick smoke tests.

Copy‑friendly internal comms (send to staff)

• “We’re installing critical Windows updates this week. Save work and leave devices powered on. If a reboot prompt appears, please restart the same day. If VPN or file shares misbehave after patching, contact IT.”

FAQs

• Q1: Why patch DCs first?

  • Authentication flaws can cascade through the domain. Fixing DCs stabilizes auth for everything else.

• Q2: Can we defer MSMQ if apps are critical?

  • If you can’t patch immediately, restrict MSMQ exposure to only the app subnets and schedule an emergency window.

• Q3: Users report printer glitches after updates—what now?

  • Re‑deploy print drivers and check print spooler updates. Consider disabling legacy protocols temporarily.

• Q4: Will this break NTLM‑dependent apps?

  • Patching should not, but tightening NTLM later might. Inventory NTLM uses now to plan deprecation.

• Q5: How to prove coverage to management?

• Export a post‑patch compliance report from WSUS/Intune/your RMM and attach key event log screenshots (DCs/VPN/file servers).

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