All posts in category Always On VPN

Always On VPN Security Updates October 2024

Microsoft has released the October 2024 security updates, and numerous issues may impact Always On VPN administrators. Although many CVEs affect Always On VPN-related services that are Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerabilities, none are critical this cycle.

RRAS Updates

This month, Microsoft has provided 12 updates for the Windows Server Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS), commonly deployed to support Always On VPN deployments. Most of these CVEs involve overflow vulnerabilities (heap and stack), input validation weaknesses, and buffer over-read and overflow vulnerabilities. All are rated important, and there are no known exploits currently.

Related Updates

In addition to the updates above, Microsoft also released fixes for security vulnerabilities in various related services that are important to Always On VPN administrators.

Windows Network Address Translation (NAT)

The following CVEs address denial of service vulnerabilities in the Network Address Translation (NAT) service.

CVE-2024-43562

CVE-2024-43565

Certificate Services

Always On VPN administrators will also find updates for CVEs affecting various certificate services-related components.

CVE-2024-43545 – OCSP Denial of Service Vulnerability

CVE-2024-43541 – Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol (SCEP) Denial of Service Vulnerability

CVE-2024-43544 – Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol (SCEP) Denial of Service Vulnerability

Recommendations

Always On VPN administrators are encouraged to update systems as soon as possible. However, since none of the CVEs is rated Critical, updates can be applied during standard update windows.

Additional Information

Microsoft October 2024 Security Updates

Always On VPN Security Updates August 2024

Today is the second Tuesday of the month, so Windows Server administrators everywhere know what that means – it’s Update Tuesday! For Always On VPN administrators in particular there are a few security updates that affect Windows Server Routing and Remote Access (RRAS), which is a popular VPN server used to support Always On VPN implementations. While many of these updates address Remote Code Execution vulnerabilities, non are considered critical.

RRAS Updates

This month there are six vulnerabilities disclosed affecting Windows Server RRAS.

CVE-2024-38120 – Windows RRAS Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Important)

CVE-2024-38121 – Windows RRAS Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Important)

CVE-2024-38128 – Windows RRAS Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Important)

CVE-2024-38130 – Windows RRAS Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Important)

CVE-2024-38154 – Windows RRAS Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Important)

CVE-2024-38214 – Windows RRAS Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Important)

Additional Updates

In addition to the updates addressing vulnerabilities in Windows Server RRAS, there are also updates available for the Windows Network Address Translation (NAT), Windows Transport Layer Security (TLS), and Windows IP Routing Management snapin that could potentially impact Always On VPN deployments.

Recommendations

None of the security vulnerabilities disclosed this month are critical. Although the RRAS vulnerabilities are remote code execution, exploitation is unlikely. However, administrators are encouraged to update their systems as soon as possible.

Additional Information

Microsoft August 2024 Security Updates

Microsoft Security Service Edge Now Generally Available

A few weeks ago, Microsoft announced the general availability of its Security Service Edge (SSE) offering, Global Secure Access (GSA). GSA encompasses Entra Internet Access, a cloud-based Secure Web Gateway, and Entra Private Access, a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution for accessing private data and applications on-premises.

ZTNA vs. VPN

Entra Private Access will be a compelling alternative to traditional VPN solutions such as Windows Always On VPN. Where traditional VPNs grant the endpoint an IP address on the internal network, Entra Private Access provides more granular access and does not require the device to be directly connected to the network.

GSA Client

Administrators must install the GSA client on all endpoints using Entra Internet Access or Entra Private Access. Today, the client is available for Windows and Android devices. iOS and macOS clients are forthcoming.

Private Network Connector

The Entra Private Access solution relies on the Entra Private Network Connector. The Entra Private Network Connector is a software component installed on-premises that provides remote access connectivity. Previously, it was called the Azure AD Application Proxy. Essentially, it is the same technology extended to support TCP and UDP network access in addition to HTTP.

Limitations

Entra Private Access is the way of the future for secure remote access. However, today, there are still some important limitations associated with this technology.

Private DNS

Although Microsoft announced general availability for Entra Private Access, it still lacks the private DNS feature many organizations require to provide feature parity with their existing VPN. This feature is still in private preview at the time of this writing. Hopefully, Microsoft will release this feature soon.

Device Connection

Entra Private Access does not support device-based connections. This limits its capabilities for domain-joined devices. If your organization uses hybrid Entra join today, consider sticking with Always On VPN until you move to native Entra joined endpoints.

Licensing

Global Secure Access (Entra Private Access and Entra Internet Access) are included in the Microsoft Entra Suite license. More information about Entra licensing can be found here.

Additional Information

Microsoft Global Secure Access Now Generally Available

Microsoft Entra Global Secure Access (GSA) Overview

Microsoft Entra Security Service Edge (SSE) on the RunAs Radio Podcast

Microsoft Entra Plans & Pricing

2 Comments

by Richard M. Hicks on August 6, 2024 • Permalink

Posted in Always On VPN, AOVPN, authentication, Azure AD, Azure AD Join, Azure App Proxy, Azure Application Proxy, cloud, Cloud Service, Endpoint Manager, Enterprise, enterprise mobility, Entra, Entra Global Secure Access, Entra ID, Entra Internet Access, Entra Private Access, Entra Private Network Connector, GSA, HAADJ, Hybrid Azure AD Join, Hybrid Entra ID Join, Hybrid Entra Join, Intune, MDM, MEM, MFA, Microsoft, Microsoft Endpoint Manager, Microsoft Entra, Microsoft Entra Global Secure Access, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Entra Internet Access, Microsoft Entra Private Access, Microsoft Intune, Mobile Device Management, Mobility, Multifactor Authentiction, Private Network Connector, Remote Access, Secure Access Service Edge, Secure Service Edge, Secure Web Gateway, Security, Security Service Edge, Uncategorized, VPN, Windows 10, Windows 11, Zero Trust, Zero Trust Network Access, ZTNA

Posted by Richard M. Hicks on August 6, 2024

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2024/08/06/microsoft-security-service-edge-now-generally-available/

Richard M. Hicks Consulting, Inc.

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All posts in category Always On VPN

Always On VPN Security Updates October 2024

RRAS Updates

Related Updates