Windows flaw enables theft of NTLM credentials

A new security flaw in Windows allows attackers to steal NTLM credentials by tricking victims into opening a malicious file in Windows Explorer, and while a temporary fix is available, Microsoft has yet to release an official patch for all affected versions.

Can prevent exploitation of vulnerability in sensitive environments
Unofficial patch available from 0patch team
Affects all versions of Windows, including the latest Windows 11 and Windows Server

A new security flaw has recently been discovered in Windows that could potentially allow attackers to steal NTLM credentials from the system. And get this – all victims have to do to become targets of this attack is open a maliciously crafted file in Windows Explorer. Talk about a sneaky move.

The flaw was uncovered by the team at 0patch, a platform known for releasing patches for vulnerabilities in end-of-support systems. While the flaw has been reported to Microsoft, the company has yet to release a fix for it. Not cool, Microsoft.

Now, here’s the kicker – this vulnerability affects practically all versions of Windows from Windows 7 to Windows Server 2008 R2. Yes, even the latest Windows 11 and Windows Server are not immune. Yikes.

To prevent this flaw from being actively exploited, the researchers have chosen not to disclose the technical details until Microsoft rolls out an official patch. Smart move, but it leaves us wondering just how dangerous this flaw really is. What’s lurking behind that mysterious file?

Here’s the lowdown: all it takes is for victims to innocently open a certain maliciously modified file in the system’s Explorer. And get this – most security programs won’t even flag it as malicious. Sneaky, sneaky.

Once the attackers gain access to the NTLM credentials, they basically have a free pass to the system accounts, potentially compromising even administrator accounts. Now, Microsoft has already announced plans to phase out NTLM keys in the future, but for now, they’re still actively used within Windows. So, we’re stuck with this vulnerability for the time being.

But fear not, my friends. While Microsoft hasn’t released an official update to fix this flaw, the 0patch team has come to the rescue with an unofficial patch. This temporary fix can help prevent the exploitation of the vulnerability in sensitive environments. However, there’s a catch – it’s only available for Pro and Enterprise accounts, which come with associated costs. Nothing in life is truly free, right?

Now, considering that Microsoft is aware of this flaw, it’s likely that they’ll release a fix in one of their upcoming Windows updates. But here’s the thing – don’t hold your breath if you’re using an unsupported version of the system, like good ol’ Windows 7. You might be out of luck.

So, folks, stay vigilant and keep an eye out for any updates from Microsoft. In the meantime, be cautious about opening suspicious files in Windows Explorer. You never know what kind of trouble could be lurking behind that innocent-looking document. Stay safe out there!

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Background Information

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