validation Archives

Winsage

July 23, 2025

5 Ways to Repurpose your Windows 10 System — Virtualization Review

As Windows 11 support ends, many Windows 10 PCs and laptops lacking compatibility with the new operating system are expected to enter the resale market or be given away. This situation creates opportunities to repurpose these devices for various uses, including: 1. Installing a Linux distribution to cater to business and personal needs, with options like Ubuntu, Fedora, and MX Linux for older hardware. 2. Running ChromeOS Flex for a lightweight experience focused on web browsing and cloud applications. 3. Installing a thin-client OS to access virtual desktops, maximizing existing hardware for businesses transitioning to virtual environments. 4. Converting the device into a media server using software like Plex or Jellyfin for centralized media storage and streaming. 5. Recycling the device responsibly through manufacturer or retailer e-waste programs, ensuring safe processing and potential donation of usable parts. Before recycling, it is important to securely wipe or destroy personal data on the hard drive.

AppWizard

July 21, 2025

How Free Android VPNs Improve HTTP Security in App Development (2025)

The integration of a free Android VPN is essential for mobile application developers to protect sensitive communications by creating an encrypted tunnel between a user's device and a secure server. VPNs enhance HTTP security by encrypting data, making it unreadable to unauthorized entities. They use various encryption protocols such as OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPSec to secure HTTP connections. Free Android VPNs are cost-effective for developers, allowing secure testing across regions, maintaining security during remote work, and protecting data integrity in app testing. While some free VPNs may compromise user privacy, reputable providers offer secure options with no-log policies. Five recommended free Android VPNs for developers in 2025 include X-VPN, Proton VPN Free, Windscribe, TunnelBear, and Hideme, each with specific features suited for secure app development. Best practices for using free VPNs include verifying VPN protocols, enabling a kill switch, regularly auditing security settings, and using dedicated VPN profiles for app testing.

Winsage

July 17, 2025

Windows Server 2025 Golden dMSA Attack Enables Authentication Bypass and Password Generation

A design flaw in Microsoft’s Windows Server 2025, known as “Golden dMSA,” allows attackers to bypass authentication and generate passwords for all managed service accounts across enterprise networks. This vulnerability exploits a weakness in delegated Managed Service Accounts (dMSAs), reducing cryptographic protections to a brute-force attack requiring only 1,024 attempts. Discovered by Semperis Security Researcher Adi Malyanker, the attack involves extracting cryptographic material from the Key Distribution Services (KDS) root key, enumerating dMSA accounts, guessing ManagedPasswordId attributes, and generating passwords. The KDS root keys do not expire, potentially granting indefinite access. The vulnerability is classified as moderate risk, requiring possession of a KDS root key, accessible only to privileged accounts. Detection of the attack is challenging, as no security events are logged by default when KDS root keys are compromised. Microsoft acknowledged the vulnerability on May 27, 2025, and stated that the features were not intended to protect against domain controller compromises.

Winsage

July 11, 2025

Windows 11 now uses JScript9Legacy engine for improved security

Microsoft has replaced the default scripting engine JScript with JScript9Legacy in Windows 11, version 24H2 and beyond to enhance security against web threats, particularly cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities. JScript, which has been in use since 1996, has become outdated and non-compliant with modern security standards. JScript9Legacy is designed to meet legacy scripting needs while improving security and compatibility. The transition to JScript9Legacy will occur automatically for users, and existing scripts should continue to function without disruption. If compatibility issues arise, users can revert to the previous engine with support from Microsoft.

Winsage

July 10, 2025

How to trick ChatGPT into revealing Windows keys? I give up

A researcher successfully exploited vulnerabilities in ChatGPT by framing inquiries as a guessing game, leading to the disclosure of sensitive information, including Windows product keys from major corporations like Wells Fargo. The researcher used ChatGPT 4.0 and tricked the AI into bypassing safety protocols designed to protect confidential data. The technique involved embedding sensitive terms within HTML tags and adhering to game rules that prompted the AI to respond with 'yes' or 'no.' Marco Figueroa, a Technical Product Manager, noted that this jailbreaking method could be adapted to circumvent other content filters. He emphasized the need for improved contextual awareness and multi-layered validation systems in AI frameworks to address such vulnerabilities.

Winsage

July 10, 2025

Researchers Trick ChatGPT into Disclosing Windows Product Keys

Researchers have successfully bypassed ChatGPT's guardrails, allowing the AI to disclose valid Windows product keys by disguising requests as a guessing game. The technique involved using HTML tags to hide sensitive terms from filters while still enabling AI comprehension. They extracted real Windows Home/Pro/Enterprise keys by establishing game rules and using the phrase "I give up" to trigger disclosure. This vulnerability highlights flaws in keyword-based filtering and suggests that similar techniques could expose other restricted content. The attack exploits weaknesses in AI's contextual interpretation and emphasizes the need for improved content moderation strategies, including enhanced contextual awareness and detection of deceptive framing patterns.

Winsage

July 9, 2025

Microsoft Patch Tuesday, July 2025 Edition

Microsoft has released updates addressing 137 vulnerabilities across its Windows operating systems and supported software, with 14 classified as "critical." CVE-2025-49719 is a publicly disclosed information disclosure flaw affecting all SQL Server versions since 2016, posing a supply-chain risk due to its potential exploitation without authentication. SQL Server 2012 has reached its end of life, meaning no future security patches will be available. CVE-2025-47981 is a critical remote code execution vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.8, affecting Windows clients and Windows Server. Microsoft also addressed four critical remote code execution vulnerabilities in its Office suite, including CVE-2025-49695 and CVE-2025-49696, which can be triggered through the Preview Pane. Other high-severity vulnerabilities include CVE-2025-49740, which could bypass Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, and CVE-2025-47178, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries with minimal privileges. Adobe has also released security updates for various software, and users are advised to back up data before installing patches.

Winsage

July 9, 2025

Microsoft Patch Tuesday addresses 130 vulnerabilities, none actively exploited

Microsoft addressed a total of 130 vulnerabilities in its latest Patch Tuesday initiative. A significant vulnerability in SQL Server, identified as CVE-2025-49719, has a CVSS score of 7.5 and is due to improper input validation, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data. It affects SQL Server versions from 2016 to 2022. Another critical vulnerability, CVE-2025-47981, has a CVSS score of 9.8 and allows unauthenticated remote code execution without user interaction. This vulnerability poses a high risk due to its low attack complexity and potential for lateral movement within networks. Additionally, the update includes 16 vulnerabilities affecting Microsoft Office, with four categorized as more likely to be exploited.

Winsage

July 8, 2025

Silverfort uncovers critical Netlogon flaw affecting Windows domain controllers

A vulnerability identified as “NOTLogon” (CVE-2025-47978) has been discovered in Microsoft Corp.'s Netlogon protocol, allowing low-privilege machines to remotely crash Windows domain controllers, disrupting Active Directory services. This flaw arises from issues in the Network Ticket Logon feature introduced in late 2024, specifically in the NetrLogonSamLogonEx RPC call processing malformed inputs in the AdditionalTicket buffer. An empty or improperly formatted ticket can crash the domain controller’s LSASS process, leading to a system reboot. The vulnerability does not grant elevated privileges or allow credential theft but can cause denial-of-service attacks that halt user logins and restrict access to enterprise systems. The discovery utilized AI-assisted techniques to analyze differences in Netlogon specifications. Organizations are advised to apply the July 2025 security update, audit machine account usage, restrict machine account creation, and segment network access to protect domain controllers.

Winsage

July 6, 2025

Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 Update Causes Security Firewall Error

Microsoft Windows updates are essential for system security but can cause user challenges. A recent high-severity vulnerability, CVE-2025-33073, emphasizes the need for timely updates. Windows 11 users are experiencing a Firewall configuration error linked to the June 26 KB5060829 update, which has raised security concerns despite being a non-security update. Microsoft confirmed the error appears in the Event Viewer as "Config Read Failed" and occurs after each device restart, but it can be safely ignored and does not indicate a problem with Windows Firewall. The error is related to a feature under development, and Microsoft is working on a resolution for a future update.