All posts tagged security update

Always On VPN Security Updates November 2026

Always On VPN security updates

Microsoft released the November 2026 security updates today, which include three vulnerabilities affecting Always On VPN deployments. This month’s release addresses issues in the Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) and Internet Key Exchange (IKE). And for a change, there are NO vulnerabilities in the Windows Server Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) this month!

SSTP Vulnerabilities

SSTP is commonly used for Always On VPN user tunnel connections. Because SSTP is, by design, exposed directly to the Internet, vulnerabilities affecting this protocol deserve attention. This month’s updates address the following two SSTP vulnerabilities. Both are rated Important.

CVE-2026-105561 – Windows SSTP Denial of Service Vulnerability (CVSS 7.5)

CVE-2026-105510 – Windows SSTP Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (CVSS 7.0)

IKE Vulnerability

The November 2026 security updates also address a spoofing vulnerability in the Windows IKE Extension. Always On VPN implementations that use the device tunnel or IKEv2 for the user tunnel are affected. Microsoft rates this vulnerability as Important.

CVE-2026-122169 – Windows IKE Extension Spoofing Vulnerability (CVSS 7.5)

Not Using IKEv2?

If you are not using the device tunnel or IKEv2 for the user tunnel, ensure the following IKEv2 ports are blocked at the edge firewall.

  • Inbound UDP port 500 (IKE)
  • Inbound UDP port 4500 (IKE NAT-T)

In addition, consider disabling IKEv2 on the RRAS server entirely. Guidance for doing this is in my earlier post, Always On VPN IKEv2 Security Vulnerability April 2026.

No RRAS Vulnerabilities

RRAS has been a regular fixture in the monthly security updates, with several CVEs disclosed in most recent releases. September 2026 alone included eight RRAS CVEs, four of them rated Critical. It is refreshing to report that the November 2026 release includes no RRAS vulnerabilities at all.

Summary

This is a relatively light month for Always On VPN administrators. All three vulnerabilities are rated Important, and none are rated Critical. However, SSTP and IKE are both Internet-facing services in most Always On VPN deployments, so administrators should plan to deploy these updates during their next scheduled maintenance window and avoid unnecessary delays.

Additional Information

Always On VPN: Secure Remote Access for Windows

Microsoft November 2026 Security Updates

Always On VPN Security Updates September 2026

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by Richard M. Hicks on November 10, 2026  •  Permalink
Posted in Always On VPN, Security Updates, Windows Server
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on November 10, 2026

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2026/11/10/always-on-vpn-security-updates-november-2026/

Always On VPN Security Updates September 2026

Microsoft released the September 2026 security updates today, which include numerous fixes affecting Always On VPN deployments. This month’s edition addresses vulnerabilities in Windows Server Routing and Remote Access (RRAS), VPN protocols such as Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) and Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2). The updates also include Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS), a crucial supporting infrastructure service for Always On VPN.

RRAS

September 2026 Microsoft security updates include 8 CVEs for RRAS. Four are rated Critical, the most severe having a CVSS rating of 9.8.

RCEs

The following five CVEs are Remote Code Execution vulnerabilities. Four are rated Critical.

Privilege Escalation

The following two CVEs are RRAS privilege escalation vulnerabilities. Both are rated Important.

Denial of Service

Finally, the last CVE addresses a denial-of-service vulnerability in RRAS.

VPN Protocols

The following section outlines vulnerabilities addressed in the September 2026 security updates affecting commonly used VPN protocols.

SSTP

The following four CVEs cover vulnerabilities in SSTP. One is rated critical with a CVSS score of 9.8. The rest are rated Important.

IKEv2

The following CVEs address vulnerabilities in the IKEv2 VPN protocol. All are rated important.

AD CS

Microsoft AD CS is commonly deployed to issue and manage certificates used for encryption and user and device authentication in Always On VPN deployments. The following four CVEs address vulnerabilities disclosed in AD CS. The first two are privilege escalation vulnerabilities, the third covers information disclosure, and the last addresses a tampering vulnerability. All are rated Important.

Summary

The September 2026 Microsoft security updates address several critical vulnerabilities affecting organizations that have deployed Microsoft Always On VPN. Administrators are encouraged to update their systems as soon as possible.

Additional Information

Always On VPN: Secure Remote Access for Windows

Microsoft September 2026 Security Updates

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by Richard M. Hicks on September 8, 2026  •  Permalink
Posted in Always On VPN, PKI, Security Updates, Windows Server
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on September 8, 2026

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2026/09/08/always-on-vpn-security-updates-september-2026/

What’s New in Entra Global Secure Access Client v2.32.294.0

On August 26, 2026, Microsoft released version 2.32.294 of the Entra Global Secure Access (GSA) client. This release addresses challenges caused by overlapping local and private network address spaces, improves tunnel creation performance, and prepares the client to receive future upgrades through Windows Update.

Changes in v2.32.294

GSA client v2.32.294 includes the following new features and capabilities.

Prefer Local Network

The Prefer Local Network option allows users to access resources on their current local network when its address space overlaps with a private application’s subnet. Common scenarios include accessing a local printer or casting to a nearby device.

Support for Prefer Local Network is included in this client release. However, the administrative setting required to expose the option to users is not yet available in the traffic forwarding profile. Once Microsoft makes this setting available, administrators can enable the feature and allow users to turn it on when needed.

Windows Update

Beginning in November 2026, the GSA client will automatically receive upgrades through Windows Update. Endpoints must be running GSA client 2.31.125 or later (2.32.294 or later for Windows on Arm).

Administrators can opt out of automatic updates when installing or upgrading the GSA client using the following command.

GlobalSecureAccessInstaller.exe /quiet /norestart EnableWindowsUpdates=0

Additional Enhancements

GSA client v2.32.294 accelerates the creation of new tunnels, improving connection performance. The installer also includes .NET Runtime 10.0.9. Additional changes include telemetry and accessibility enhancements, the removal of LastMile for Office 365 telemetry, and miscellaneous bug fixes.

Summary

Global Secure Access client v2.32.294 introduces useful improvements for users working on networks with overlapping address spaces and lays the groundwork for automatic client upgrades through Windows Update. The release also improves tunnel creation performance and includes several updates to telemetry, accessibility, runtime, and reliability. Administrators should evaluate Windows Update behavior and determine whether automatic upgrades are appropriate for their deployment and change management requirements.

Additional Information

Microsoft Entra Global Secure Access (GSA) Client v2.32.294.0

Microsoft Entra Global Secure Access (GSA)

Microsoft Entra Private Access

Microsoft Entra Internet Access

Entra Private Access and VPN Migration Strategies on Entra.News

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by Richard M. Hicks on August 27, 2026  •  Permalink
Posted in Entra Global Secure Access, Entra ID, Entra Internet Access, Entra Private Access, Security Updates, Zero Trust and SSE
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on August 27, 2026

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2026/08/27/whats-new-in-entra-global-secure-access-client-v2-32-294-0/

Always On VPN Security Updates July 2026

Microsoft released the July 2026 Windows security updates today, including several fixes that directly affect Always On VPN deployments. This month’s release addresses vulnerabilities in the Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP), Internet Key Exchange (IKE), and the Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS), making it an important update for organizations using Always On VPN.

SSTP Remote Code Execution

The highest-priority issue for Always On VPN administrators is a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability affecting the Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP). SSTP is commonly used for Always On VPN user tunnel connections. Because SSTP is, by design, exposed directly to the Internet, vulnerabilities affecting this protocol deserve immediate attention. Microsoft rates this vulnerability as Critical with a CVSS base score of 8.1.

CVE-2026-50694 – Windows SSTP Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

IKE Vulnerabilities

These vulnerabilities primarily affect IKE-based VPN connections and could allow an attacker to disrupt VPN connectivity using specially crafted packets. While Microsoft rates these vulnerabilities as Important rather than Critical, organizations should still plan to deploy these updates promptly.

CVE-2026-50721 – IKEv1 Denial of Service via RSA-SHA1 authentication payload

CVE-2026-50722 – IKEv2 Denial of Service via RSA-SHA1 authentication payload

CVE-2026-12413 – IKEv2 Denial of Service via malformed fragmentation

CVE-2026-50696 – IKE Protocol Denial of Service Vulnerability

RRAS Vulnerabilities

The July 2026 security updates also address several vulnerabilities in the Windows Server Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS). All are rated Important by Microsoft.

CVE-2026-57096 – Windows RRAS Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

CVE-2026-49791 – Windows RRAS Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

CVE-2026-50451 – Windows RRAS Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Summary

The SSTP RCE vulnerability is particularly concerning because the service is typically exposed to the Internet and could allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute code remotely. Organizations should prioritize deployment of this update. The IKE and RRAS vulnerabilities are rated Important and can generally be addressed during the next scheduled maintenance window, although administrators should avoid unnecessary delays in applying these updates.

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by Richard M. Hicks on July 14, 2026  •  Permalink
Posted in Always On VPN, Security Updates, Windows Server
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on July 14, 2026

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2026/07/14/always-on-vpn-security-updates-july-2026/

Always On VPN IKEv2 Security Vulnerability April 2026

Microsoft published its Security Updates for April 2026 today, and the good news is that there are no Windows Server Routing and Remote Access (RRAS) vulnerabilities this month. However, they disclosed a critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability that impacts deployments using Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2).

IKE Service Extensions RCE

CVE-2026-33824 addresses a security vulnerability in the Windows Internet Key Exchange (IKE) Service Extensions. This vulnerability is a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 (Critical). Always On VPN implementations that use the device tunnel or IKEv2 for the user tunnel are affected.

Impact

This vulnerability presents a unique challenge to Always On VPN administrators as IKEv2 is required to support device tunnel connections. Some implementations also use IKEv2 for the user tunnel. In either case, the vulnerable VPN server, often domain-joined, is reachable from the Internet, greatly increasing the attack surface and exposure to this vulnerability.

Recommendations

For deployments that use IKEv2 (device or user tunnel), administrators should update their RRAS server as soon as possible to protect against potential attacks on this service.

Not Using IKEv2?

If you are not using the device tunnel or IKEv2 for the user tunnel, ensure the following IKEv2 ports are blocked at the edge firewall.

  • Inbound UDP port 500 (IKE)
  • Inbound UDP port 4500 (IKE NAT-T)

In addition, consider disabling IKEv2 on the RRAS server by opening an elevated command window and running the following command.

netsh.exe ras set wanports device = "WAN Miniport (IKEv2)" rasinonly = disabled ddinout = disabled ddoutonly = disabled maxports = 0

Optionally, you can use the Routing and Remote Access management console (rrasmgnt.msc) to perform this task.

  1. Right-click on Ports and choose Properties.
  2. Select WAN Miniport (IKEv2).
  3. Click Configure.
  4. Uncheck Remote access connections (inbound only).
  5. Uncheck Demand-dial routing connection (inbound and outbound).
  6. Enter 0 in the Maximum ports field.
  7. Click Ok.

Additional Information

Microsoft Security Updates for April 2026

CVE-2026-33824 – Windows Internet Key Exchange (IKE) Service Extension RCE

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by Richard M. Hicks on April 14, 2026  •  Permalink
Posted in Always On VPN, Security Updates, Windows Server
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on April 14, 2026

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2026/04/14/always-on-vpn-ikev2-security-vulnerability-april-2026/

What’s New in Absolute Secure Access v14

Absolute Software recently announced a significant upgrade for its popular secure remote access and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution. Version 14 of Secure Access introduces many compelling new features and updates that administrators will find beneficial. In addition, crucial security vulnerabilities in the previous release have been addressed.

New Features

Absolute Secure Access v14.x includes many enhancements over previous releases. Here are a few of the highlights.

Improved Performance

Absolute Secure Access v14 provides much faster throughput on multi-gigabit networks (e.g., 2.5Gbps Wi-Fi 6E/7 or 10Gbps wired). New kernel-level optimizations reduce CPU overhead by up to 40% on high-speed links, improving performance on faster networks.

Modern Certificate Handling

SHA-1 has been deprecated since 2011, and beginning with Absolute Secure Access v14, support for SHA-1 certificates has been removed completely.

Enhanced Client Auto Reconnect

Improved client auto-reconnect logic now survives Windows standby mode for more than 12 hours (previous versions were capped at around 4 hours). This will reduce frustration when devices return from standby for extended periods.

Automatic Host Group Updates

Host groups are an excellent way to streamline policy configuration for services like Microsoft 365 and AWS. These cloud providers publish the IP addresses of their services, which are dynamic and often change over time. Absolute Secure Access v14 now supports automatic host group updates for these services. Microsoft 365 updates occur every 28 days, and AWS updates occur every 5 days by default. This interval is configurable for administrators.

Security Updates

Absolute Secure Access v14 closes four server-side CVEs as well as 14 third-party CVEs (Apache, OpenSSL, etc.) that were not patched in v13.x.

Summary

If you have deployed previous versions of Absolute Secure Access, consider upgrading to v14.x today. You’ll gain improved performance, reduced administrative overhead, critical security updates, and much more. If you’d like help with your migration or want to learn more about the new capabilities in Absolute Secure Access v14, fill out the form below, and I’ll provide more information.

Additional Information

Absolute Secure Access

Absolute Secure Access Enterprise VPN Advanced Features In Depth

Absolute Secure Access and IPv6

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by Richard M. Hicks on November 5, 2025  •  Permalink
Posted in Absolute Secure Access, Security Updates
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on November 5, 2025

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2025/11/05/whats-new-in-absolute-secure-access-v14/

Always On VPN Security Updates July 2025

Patch Tuesday has arrived, and, unlike last month, it’s a busy month for Always On VPN administrators. The June 2025 Microsoft security updates address a whopping 16 (!) vulnerabilities in the Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS). Notably, DirectAccess administrators are once again impacted by a critical vulnerability in the Windows KDC Proxy Service (KPSSVC) this month.

RRAS

As stated previously, this month’s update addresses 16 unique CVEs in Windows Server RRAS. All are memory-related buffer overflows and out-of-bounds reads, indicating that a security researcher was recently probing for vulnerabilities in RRAS.

While all the above CVEs are Remote Code Execution (RCE) and Information Disclosure vulnerabilities, none are rated as Critical; all are rated as Important. This means exploitation is unlikely, but administrators are encouraged to update as soon as possible.

KDC Proxy

This month’s security update includes another Critical RCE in the Windows KDC Proxy Service (KPSSVC).

The KDC Proxy is enabled by default when DirectAccess is configured. By design, this means the service is exposed to the public Internet, posing a significant risk to organizations using DirectAccess for secure remote access. Administrators are urged to update their systems immediately to avoid compromise.

Additional Information

Microsoft July 2025 Security Updates

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by Richard M. Hicks on July 8, 2025  •  Permalink
Posted in Always On VPN, Authentication and MFA, DirectAccess, Security Updates, Windows Server
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on July 8, 2025

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2025/07/08/always-on-vpn-security-updates-july-2025/

Always On VPN Security Updates June 2025

Patch Tuesday is upon us again; thankfully, it’s a light month of Always On VPN administrators. The Microsoft monthly security updates for June 2025 include just a few Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) fixes. In addition, an update is available for a vulnerability in the Windows Remote Access Connection Manager. Significantly, DirectAccess administrators are affected this month by a vulnerability identified in the Windows KDC Proxy Service (KPSSVC).

RRAS Updates

The Microsoft security updates for June 2025 address the following CVEs for Windows Server RRAS.

Both RRAS CVEs are Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerabilities with max severity ratings of Important.

Remote Access Connection Manager

A security vulnerability in the Windows Remote Access Connection Manager is addressed with the following CVE.

An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could elevate local access privileges.

KDC Proxy

This critical vulnerability affects those organizations still supporting Microsoft DirectAccess in their environments.

This CVE addresses an RCE in the KDC Proxy Service (KPSSVC) that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code over the network. DirectAccess administrators are encouraged to apply this update as soon as possible.

Additional Information

Microsoft June 2025 Security Updates

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by Richard M. Hicks on June 10, 2025  •  Permalink
Posted in Always On VPN, Authentication and MFA, Security Updates, Windows Server
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on June 10, 2025

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2025/06/10/always-on-vpn-security-updates-june-2025/

Always On VPN Security Updates April 2025

Microsoft has published its monthly security updates. Many updates address Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) vulnerabilities commonly used in Always On VPN deployments. In addition, an update addresses a vulnerability in Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS). Always On VPN user and device authentication often rely on AD CS-issued certificates.

RRAS Updates

The April 2025 Microsoft security updates include the following CVEs for Windows Server RRAS.

Only one of these CVEs (26668) is a Remote Code Execution vulnerability. The others are information disclosure vulnerabilities. None of these vulnerabilities are rated Critical; all are rated Important.

AD CS Update

This month’s security update includes the following CVE for AD CS.

Additional Information

Microsoft April 2025 Security Updates

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by Richard M. Hicks on April 8, 2025  •  Permalink
Posted in Always On VPN, Security Updates
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on April 8, 2025

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2025/04/08/always-on-vpn-security-updates-april-2025/

Always On VPN Security Updates December 2024

Microsoft released the December 2024 security updates earlier today, and there are a few important items that Windows Always On VPN administrators should take note of. Specifically, the December 2024 security update includes six CVEs affecting the Windows Server Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS), commonly used for Always On VPN deployments.

RRAS Updates

This month’s updates for Windows Server RRAS cover the following publicly announced CVEs.

Importance

All of the security vulnerabilities outlined above are Remote Code Execution (RCE) and are rated Important. However, they all require local administrative rights for an attacker to leverage, reducing the risk of compromise. However, administrators are encouraged to update their systems as soon as possible.

Additional Information

Microsoft December 2024 Security Updates

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by Richard M. Hicks on December 10, 2024  •  Permalink
Posted in Always On VPN, Security Updates, Windows Server
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on December 10, 2024

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2024/12/10/always-on-vpn-security-updates-december-2024/

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