Diving Deep: Analyzing 2021 Patch Tuesday and Out-of-Band Vulnerability Disclosures

The analysis of Microsoft's vulnerability disclosures for the first half of 2021 emphasizes the significant role of both regular Patch Tuesday and out-of-band (OOB) updates in maintaining robust cybersecurity. With 612 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) affecting Microsoft products, 30% of which were addressed OOB, the study highlights the necessity of integrating OOB updates into the vulnerability management lifecycle due to their potential to address serious exploits. The report underscores the importance of timely patching, particularly for vulnerabilities related to widely used products like Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft Edge, emphasizing that reliance solely on monthly updates may leave organizations exposed to security risks. It also notes the unique challenges posed by the differing patching schedules of Chromium-based browsers, suggesting the need for more agile remediation processes to mitigate threats effectively.