Microsoft Security Updates January 2017

It is the second Tuesday of the month, and that means it is once again Patch Day over at Microsoft.

The company has released security updates and non-security updates for client and server versions of its Windows operating system, as well as for other company products today.

Our guide provides you with information on these updates. It lists all security bulletins that Microsoft released this month, and all non-security updates and security advisories.

It starts with an executive summary that highlights the most important information, and lists who all client and server operating systems, and other Microsoft products, are affected this month.

Last but not least, it provides you with information on how to download the updates, direct links to major updates, and links to resources that provide you with additional information.

Microsoft Security Bulletins January 2017

Executive Summary

• Microsoft released 4 security bulletins in January 2017.
• 2 of the bulletins are rated critical, the highest severity rating.
• Vulnerabilities affect all client and server Windows versions that Microsoft supports with the exception of Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2. Therefore, no Security Only Quality Update or Security Monthly Quality Update was released for these operating systems.
• Other Microsoft products for which updates were released include Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Edge.

Operating System Distribution

Only Windows 8.1, Windows 8.1 RT, and Windows 10 are affected by a critical vulnerability on the client side. The only server operating system affected by  a vulnerability rated critically is Windows Server 2016.

All are affected by MS17-003, a bulletin that patches Adobe Flash Player. That's also the reason why Windows 7, Vista and Windows Server 2008, 2008 R2 and 2012 are not affected by the vulnerability.

It is also interesting to note that Microsoft rates MS17-001 as important, even though Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 is affected by the vulnerability critically.

• Windows Vista: 1 important
• Windows 7: 1 important
• Windows 8.1: 1 critical
• Windows RT 8.1: 1 critical
• Windows 10: 1 critical, 1 important
• Windows Server 2008: 1 important
• Windows Server 2008 R2: 1 important
• Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2: 1 moderate
• Windows Server 2016: 1 critical, 1 moderate
• Server core: 1 important, 1 moderate

Other Microsoft Products

• Microsoft Office 2016: 1 critical
• Microsoft Office Services and Web Apps: 1 critical

Security Bulletins

Red = critical

MS17-001 -- Security Update for Microsoft Edge (3199709)

This security update resolves a vulnerability in Microsoft Edge. This vulnerability could allow an elevation of privilege if a user views a specially crafted webpage using Microsoft Edge. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain elevated permissions on the namespace directory of a vulnerable system and gain elevated privileges

MS17-002 -- Security Update for Microsoft Office (3214291)

This security update resolves a vulnerability in Microsoft Office. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Microsoft Office file. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the context of the current user. Customers whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.

MS17-003 -- Security Update for Adobe Flash Player (3214628)

This security update resolves vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash Player when installed on all supported editions of Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2016.

MS17-004 -- Security Update for Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (3216771)

A denial of service vulnerability exists in the way the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) handles authentication requests. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could cause a denial of service on the target system's LSASS service, which triggers an automatic reboot of the system. The security update addresses the vulnerability by changing the way that LSASS handles specially crafted authentication requests.

Security advisories and updates

Microsoft Security Advisory 2755801 -- Update for Vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash Player in Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge

Non-security related updates

KB3213986 -- Cumulative update for Windows 10, OS Build 14393.693

• Improved the reliability of Groove Music playback in the background, App-V, video playback and Remote Desktop.
• Addressed issue where after successful fingerprint authentication on a device with the screen off, the screen does not turn back on.
• Addressed issue where only one input device works when you connect two similar input devices to the same machine.
• Addressed issue in the App-V Connection Group that allows users to have access to pieces of functionality that they were not designated to for access.
• Addressed issue that prevents users from selecting multiple certificates simultaneously through the UI.
• Addressed issue where the Request Control function does not work with Remote Assistance if the user being assisted is on Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows Server 2012.
• Addressed issue that prevents a smart card module from pairing with a contactless smart card reader.
• Addressed issue with license conversion of Server Core from evaluation version to a retail version.
• Addressed issue that prevents users from opening Internet shortcut (.URL) files with Internet Explorer when Enhanced Protected Mode is enabled.
• Addressed issue that prevents users from logging on if a device has been away from the corporate network over a period of time.
• Addressed additional issues with Microsoft Edge, clustering, Internet Explorer, Windows Update, input devices, facial recognition, Logon, Hyper-V, PCI bus drivers and Windows Kernel.

KB3212646 -- January 2017 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

• MS17-004 Security Update for Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (3216771)

KB3212642 -- January 2017 Security Only Quality Update for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

• MS17-004 Security Update for Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (3216771)

KB3210063 -- Update for Windows Server 2012 R2 -- "0x000000D1" Stop error with update rollups on Windows Server 2012 R2

KB3210083 -- Update for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 -- iSCSI disks are lost on upgrade for StorSimple appliances after update 3172614 is installed on Windows Server 2012 R2

KB3210694 -- Update for Internet Explorer -- Internet browser page becomes blank after you install security updates 3185330 in Windows 7 SP1 or security update 3185331 in Windows 8.1

How to download and install the January 2017 security updates

Microsoft releases individual patches for Windows Vista, and cumulative updates for Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.

This means that options are limited when it comes to updating systems running Windows 7 or newer versions of Windows.

Patches are provided via Windows Update. Please note that the full security and non-security rollup updates are provided through Windows Update, but not the security-only rollup updates. If you only want security updates, you have to download them from the Microsoft Update Catalog instead.

Download links are provided in the next section below.

To check for updates on Windows Update, do the following:

1. Tap on the Windows-key on the keyboard, type Windows Update, and select the result of the same name.
2. Click on the check for updates link on the page that opens if that is not done automatically.

Updates are also made available on Microsoft's Download Center and through the Microsoft Update Catalog. Microsoft stopped releasing monthly security releases in August 2016 apparently.

Direct update downloads

Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

KB3212642 -- January, 2017 Security Only Quality Update
KB3212646 -- January, 2017 Security Monthly Quality Rollup

Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2

None this month -- January, 2017 Security Only Quality Update
None this month -- January, 2017 Security Monthly Quality Rollup

Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 (version 1607)

KB3213986 -- Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1607

Additional resources

• Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for January 2017
• List of software updates for Microsoft products
• List of security advisories
• Security Updates Guide
• Microsoft Update Catalog site
• Our in-depth Windows update guide
• Windows 10 Update History
• Windows 8.1 Update History
• Windows 7 Update History

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