Gary Langston

  Cisco UCCX Vulnerability (CVE-2025-20354) Cisco recently patched a critical vulnerability in its Unified Contact Center Express (UCCX) software that could allow unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on affected systems.   How the Exploit Works There are two major flaws involved: 1.            CVE-2025-20354 – Java RMI Remote Code Execution •             Component Affected: Java Remote Method Invocation (RMI) process in Cisco UCCX. •             Root Cause: Improper authentication mechanisms tied to specific UCCX features. •             Exploit Method: An attacker can upload a crafted file via the Java RMI interface. •             Impact: The file ...

   Key Change: Annual Release Cadence Starting with version 2609 in September 2026 , Microsoft Configuration Manager will shift from a semi-annual to an annual release cycle . This change is now officially confirmed and documented by Microsoft. [techcommun...rosoft.com] Upcoming Release Timeline Here’s what the roadmap looks like: 2509 (December 2025) : Focus on stability and quality , including ARM64 support . 2603 (March 2026) : Emphasis on enhanced security , aligned with the Microsoft Secure Future Initiative . 2609 (September 2026) : First official annual release . 2709 (September 2027) : Future-focused release (details TBD). Why the Change? Microsoft is aligning Configuration Manager with the Windows client security and stability cadence (H2) . The goal is to: Improve predictability for IT teams. Prioritize security and reliability over frequent feature updates. Encourage a gradual transition to Microsoft Intune , which is now the primary platform for i...

  Security Advisory: Preventing Data Leaks in Azure Cloud Environments   Overview Cloud misconfigurations—especially in storage services like Azure Blob Storage—are among the most common causes of data leaks. This advisory outlines key steps to secure your Azure environment and avoid accidental exposure of sensitive data. Best Practices for Azure Cloud Security 1. Storage Access Controls Disable public access to Blob Storage unless explicitly required. Use Shared Access Signatures (SAS) for temporary, scoped access. Apply role-based access control (RBAC) to restrict permissions. 2. Data Encryption Enable encryption at rest using Azure-managed keys or customer-managed keys. Use TLS encryption in transit for all data transfers. 3. Configuration Management Implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform, Bicep) with version control. Use Azure Policy to enforce compliance (e.g...

 A major data exposure incident involving Microsoft Azure occurred in late October 2025, when Ernst & Young (EY) —one of the Big Four accounting firms— inadvertently left a 4-terabyte SQL Server backup file publicly accessible on Azure Blob Storage. Here's a breakdown of what happened: Incident Summary What was exposed : A .BAK file containing a full SQL Server database backup. Size : 4 terabytes—equivalent to millions of documents. Contents : Database schemas and stored procedures API keys, session tokens, user credentials Authentication tokens and service account passwords Potentially sensitive financial and audit data. [cybersecur...tynews.com] How It Happened The exposure was not due to a hack , but a cloud misconfiguration : During a cloud migration , an engineer mistakenly set the backup file to public instead of private. The file was unencrypted , compounding the risk. [sdxcentral.com] Neo Security , a cybersecurity firm, discovered the file dur...

  Today’s disruptions across Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS) were significant, but they’re not signs of cloud computing’s demise. Instead, they underscore the risks of centralization and the importance of designing systems that can withstand provider-level failures. What happened today? • Microsoft Azure outage: Azure’s Front Door service suffered a major disruption due to a misconfiguration, impacting services like Outlook, Xbox, Microsoft 365, and even third-party platforms like Starbucks and Alaska Airlines. The Azure website states a little more than disruption. "Azure Front Door - Connectivity issues - Observing recovery Starting at approximately 16:00 UTC on 29 October 2025, customers and Microsoft services leveraging Azure Front Door (AFD) may have experienced latencies, timeouts, and errors. We have confirmed that an inadvertent configuration change was the trigger event for this issue. Affected Azure services may have included, but were not limited to: App S...

 Microsoft has just released an emergency out-of-band (OOB) update for Windows 11 to fix critical issues introduced in the October 2025 Patch Tuesday update (KB5066835). Here's what you need to know:  What Went Wrong • Broken Localhost Connections: The update disrupted HTTP/2 connections to , affecting developers and apps relying on local servers like IIS and ASP.NET. • WinRE Failure: USB keyboards and mice stopped working in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), leaving users unable to troubleshoot or recover their systems. • Peripheral Issues: Logitech devices and File Explorer previews were also affected.  Emergency Fix: KB5070773 Microsoft has issued KB5070773 to resolve these problems: • Restores USB functionality in WinRE for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. • Fixes the localhost regression caused by HTTP.sys mishandling HTTP/2 handshakes.  How to Get the Update • Automatic Installation: The update is rolling out via Windows Update and will in...

  Don't throw out that old computer just yet, give that older model system a make over while keeping up with security and free application cross overs.  🧩 Best for Windows Users (Easy Transition) These look and feel most like Windows. Zorin OS 🖥️ Interface similar to Windows 10/11. 🧰 Preinstalled software (LibreOffice, browser, media player). 💪 Very stable (based on Ubuntu). 🎯 Great for general users, offices, and older hardware. Linux Mint (Cinnamon Edition) 🪟 UI is almost identical to Windows. 🧠 Simple learning curve, light on resources. 🔒 Secure and regularly updated. 💡 Perfect for replacing Windows 10 on older PCs. Ubuntu (with GNOME or Mate Desktop) 🌍 One of the most popular and supported distros. 🛠️ Tons of community help and documentation. 📦 Easy software installation via “Ubuntu Software Center.” ⚡ For Performance and Old Computers Great if you want something faster than Windows 10. Lubuntu 🪶 Lightweigh...