Microsoft Patch Tuesday Roundup - July 2011
by Paul Asadoorian on July 13, 2011
Remote exploits come in many different shapes, forms and sizes. Listening services, web browsers and wireless technologies can all contain vulnerabilities that allow for "remote exploitation". The difficult part is defining just how "remote" an attacker needs to be. Obviously, the exposed network service could theoretically be exploited by anyone connected to the Internet. Web browser exploits require that a user visit a site (by choice or surreptitiously) that loads malicious code. Wireless technologies such as Bluetooth require that you be in range. Here's where it gets interesting! There are many situations where end users could be in range of attackers, including conferences, coffee shops, airports, or even right in your own facility. Having said that, it would be difficult for these attacks to target a specific organization unless you were physically on-site, which occurs less frequently than someone attacking you over the Internet. However, we should note that Bluetooth uses the 2.4 GHz spectrum for communications and can be extended using the same or similar gear as WiFi.
