Government Issues High-Risk Warning for Microsoft Windows Users

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has sounded the alarm for all Microsoft Windows users in India. In its recent advisory, CERT-In disclosed multiple high-severity vulnerabilities across several Microsoft products, including:

• Microsoft Windows

• Microsoft Office

• Microsoft Azure

• Developer Tools

• Microsoft SQL Server

The vulnerabilities could enable attackers to gain elevated privileges, bypass security restrictions, obtain sensitive data, execute remote code, or even cause Denial of Service (DoS) attacks.

CERT-In Advisory Details

According to the advisory, attackers could exploit these flaws through crafted requests or malicious code, leading to full system compromise. Users are strongly advised to:

• Apply security updates immediately

• Use reliable antivirus and endpoint protection

• Enable firewall protection and regular system scans

• Avoid downloading unverified files or clicking suspicious links

This marks the second advisory in a week from CERT-In concerning Microsoft products, underlining the urgency and seriousness of the threats.

 Microsoft Edge Vulnerabilities

The agency also flagged vulnerabilities in Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based), marked under advisory CIVN-2024-0316 M.

The affected versions include Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) prior to version 129.0.2792.79.

CERT-In explained that these flaws stem from:

• Insufficient data validation in Mojo

• Improper implementation in V8

• Integer overflow in Layout

If exploited, attackers could bypass security measures and execute arbitrary code remotely on the victim’s system — a severe risk for enterprises and individuals alike.

 What Users Should Do

To mitigate risks, CERT-In urges all users and administrators to:

1. Update Windows and Microsoft Office immediately via Windows Update.

2. Install the latest version of Microsoft Edge from the official site.

3. Regularly back up critical data and implement multi-layered security.

4. Monitor official advisories from CERT-In for the latest updates.

For businesses and IT teams, implementing advanced threat monitoring, network firewalls, and endpoint detection systems is essential to prevent exploitation of these vulnerabilities. Trusted providers like Firewalls Support offer tailored solutions to secure enterprise networks from evolving cyber threats.

 Conclusion: Stay Vigilant, Stay Secure

The latest Windows Security advisory highlights the growing sophistication of cyber threats targeting global software ecosystems. With Windows powering millions of systems in India, the impact of unpatched vulnerabilities can be devastating.

By maintaining updated software, following security best practices, and leveraging expert cybersecurity support, both individuals and organizations can significantly reduce the risk of compromise.