Windows 10 | Security vulnerability
For the first time ever, the US National Security Agency (NSA) has published a security bulletin. The publication reveals a serious vulnerability in Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system. One might expect, that the NSA would conceal the Windows 10 backdoor. Especially after Edward Snowden’s revelations, would use it for their own benefit.
Microsoft recieved accusations in the past of exploiting various ‘holes’ in their products to hack target computers without ever informing them. And unfortunately, some of these cyber-espionage ‘tools’ later fell into the hands of real hackers.
Microsoft recognized the error and quickly released a patch while they were at it. It sent out the same update to military and other users deemed “sensitive.” The NSA announced its security hole during a press conference. They claimed it had warned companies in the past, but then did not specify when they sent these warnings. They also did not mention which companies were on the list of those who received these warnings.
This problem, which also affects both Windows Server 2016 and 2019, but not older versions of Windows, is known to exist in Windows 10’s crypt32.dll program which allows developers access to various features such as digital certificates used to authenticate software apps.A malicious hacker could use a vulnerability in a website to disguise their software as something that is trusted and safe.
The decision to disclose the involvement of The National Security Agency in the Microsoft security issues came as a result of Microsoft’s requests, according to reports by BBC & Reuters So far, according to the NSA and Microsoft, there is no evidence that a hacker has exploited the security vulnerability (but there’s always a chance one could have managed it!).
Vectra chief analyst Chris Morales says that it’s possible the NSA already has other ways to hack a Windows system, so the Windows vulnerability actually wasn’t their focus.
And this comes just after Microsoft ended its support for Windows 10 which had been hugely successful.
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Author: PC-GR
The World of Technology
