Microsoft Windows 8.1 and 7 support ends January 10
Microsoft ended support for Windows 8.1 and extended security updates for Windows 7/Server 2008/2008 R2 on January 10, 2023, leaving systems vulnerable without security patches.
Sourceipa.go.jp — open the original
What to check
- Applies to
- The 4 CVEs named below. Whether you run an affected version is not assessed: check the versions the source lists.
- Exploitation
- CISA lists CVE-2021-31979, CVE-2021-33771, CVE-2021-34448, and CVE-2021-34527 as exploited in the wild.
On January 10, 2023 (US time), Microsoft terminated support for Windows 8.1, Windows 7 ESU, Windows Server 2008 ESU, and Windows Server 2008 R2 ESU. The Japan Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA) issued this advisory warning that post-end-of-life systems will no longer receive security updates, significantly increasing security risks. Historical data from July 2021 to June 2022 shows approximately 20-25% of vulnerabilities discovered in these operating systems were classified as the most severe level (Level III), with several being actively exploited in the wild.
Notably, CVE-2021-34527 (PrintNightmare) and other critical vulnerabilities were exploited for ransomware deployment during the support period. IPA emphasizes that continuing to use unsupported operating systems exposes organizations to unpatched vulnerabilities, leading to potential data breaches and service disruptions. The risk extends beyond the OS itself to third-party applications running on these platforms, as vendors typically cease support for software on end-of-life operating systems.
IPA strongly recommends immediate migration to supported successor or alternative operating systems. Organizations should also evaluate and update third-party software products that may lose support when running on deprecated OS versions. Users are advised to contact product vendors for specific migration guidance tailored to their environments.
Mentioned in this report
Source reporting: https://www.ipa.go.jp/archive/security/security-alert/2022/win8_1_eos.html
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