Microsoft has released the June 2024 Patch Tuesday updates, reinforcing security and enhancing functionality for Windows 11 and 10 users alike. Among these updates, the tech giant has also addressed 49 vulnerabilities affecting Microsoft environments and products.
For those using the Windows 11 operating systems with versions 23H2 and 22H2, the KB5039212 patch awaits in the Windows Update queue. This comprehensive Microsoft Patch Tuesday Update introduces several notable tweaks.
Microsoft Patch Tuesday Update: All the Major Developments and Fixes
With this June Microsoft Patch Tuesday update, the tech giant has introduced a slew of user-friendly updates, including the ability to generate QR codes directly from the Windows Share menu in Microsoft Edge, facilitating seamless sharing of webpages and cloud files.
Enhancements to the Windows Share feature now allow users to easily email content to themselves using their linked email address from their Microsoft account, while a subtle but impactful change prevents the abrupt dismissal of the Windows Share window, requiring users to click the designated close button instead.
File management is streamlined with the ability to drag files between breadcrumbs within the File Explorer address bar, simplifying the process of relocating files within the same file path. Additionally, a new “Linked devices” page in the Settings menu enables users logged in with a Microsoft account to seamlessly manage their PCs and Xbox consoles, while the Windows Backup app now integrates with Microsoft accounts, offering secure backup options for files, themes, settings, installed apps, and Wi-Fi credentials to the cloud.
Microsoft has also addressed underlying issues with this June 2024 Patch Tuesday, including a fix for an issue causing the taskbar to briefly malfunction or become unresponsive, as well as resolving an issue hindering systems from resuming from hibernation post-BitLocker activation.
For Windows 11 users on the original iteration of the OS (21H2), the KB5039213 patch primarily focuses on bug fixes, with the added activation of the SMB over QUIC client certificate authentication feature, providing IT administrators with enhanced control over client access to SMB over QUIC servers.
Addressing 49 Vulnerabilities with Vigilance
With cyber threats looming large, Microsoft’s June 2024 Patch Tuesday release stands as a protective measure against hackers and ransomware groups alike, addressing a total of 49 CVEs. Among these, one is rated critical, marking a concerted effort to shore up security defenses.
Notably, there have been no reported zero-day or publicly disclosed vulnerabilities, underscoring Microsoft’s proactive stance on security.
Elevation of Privilege (EoP) vulnerabilities take center stage, constituting 49% of the patched vulnerabilities this month, followed closely by Remote Code Execution (RCE) at 36.7%. Several critical vulnerabilities have been identified, including CVE-2024-30080, a Remote Code Execution flaw in Microsoft Message Queuing (MSMQ) with a CVSSv3 score of 9.8, deemed highly exploitable by Microsoft.
Additionally, CVE-2024-30082, CVE-2024-30087, and CVE-2024-30091 highlight the significance of patching critical components like the Win32k driver to prevent potential exploits. Similarly, attention is drawn to Windows Kernel vulnerabilities CVE-2024-30064, CVE-2024-30068, CVE-2024-30088, and CVE-2024-30099, emphasizing the necessity of comprehensive patch management. Moreover, CVE-2024-30085 highlights the varied attack vectors adversaries may exploit, necessitating swift remediation.
Concurrently, Microsoft’s cessation of security updates for Windows 10 21H2 across several editions stresses the importance of timely upgrades to ensure ongoing protection against online threats.