CISA Warns Microsoft Users to Patch Systems to Protect Against BlueKeep

Through the BlueKeep vulnerability, it is possible to achieve remote code execution on vulnerable devices. Since the virus can spread, if it’s not contained, it could trigger a much bigger problem.

• By Kaitlyn DeHaven
• Jun 20, 2019

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the cybersecurity wing of the Department of Homeland Security, issued an alert regarding BlueKeep. The agency said it had used BlueKeep to remotely run code on a Windows 2000 computer. This means that the code can be used for more than just a denial-of-service condition, but can be used to remotely run code or malware on an unpatched computer.

Since BlueKeep is a wormable exploit, which means that if the attacker has access to one system on a network, it can easily spread to other systems on the network. If not contained, it could trigger an attack much like the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017.

The bug is known as CVE-2019-0708 and can access any computer running Windows 7 or earlier. Microsoft has issued patches for all affected systems except Microsoft 2000 because Microsoft ended support for the system in 2010. The patches are available on Microsoft’s website.

The patches were issued by Microsoft last month, but many devices are still vulnerable. No exploits have been publicly revealed yet, but if these vulnerable devices aren’t patched, the virus could gain access to many systems.