Advisory: Hackers Exploit a 6-Year Old IIS Vulnerability

Feb 20

Brief:

Small businesses using Microsoft IIS are at risk due to an actively exploited six-year-old vulnerability (CVE-2017-9248). Hackers might leverage this flaw to execute remote code, potentially gaining unauthorized access to systems, stealing data, or deploying ransomware.

Affected Systems:

Microsoft Windows Server
IIS (Internet Information Server)

What Does This Mean to Me:

If you run a Microsoft Server, the exploit may give hackers a path to access confidential data behind your firewall.

Why This Matters for Small Businesses:

Due to budget constraints, many small businesses rely on legacy systems, but outdated software poses serious security risks. Attackers specifically target unpatched vulnerabilities in widely used web applications, exploiting them to compromise sensitive business and customer data. Data breaches can result in financial loss, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties.

How to Protect Your Business:

Check for Vulnerability Exposure: Verify your software version if you use Progress Telerik UI for ASP.NET.
Apply Patches Immediately: Ensure all security updates are installed to close this exploit.
Enable Web Application Firewalls (WAFs): A WAF can help detect and block suspicious traffic.
Limit Access Permissions: Reduce the number of users with administrative privileges to minimize potential damage.
Regular Security Audits: Conduct periodic vulnerability assessments to identify and fix security gaps.

Recommended Response and Countermeasures:

Endpoint Management
Systems Audit

Cyber threats evolve constantly — staying proactive with updates and security best practices can protect your business from costly cyber attacks. If you’ve got questions, contact me.

Prepared by:

Russell Mickler
Principal Consultant, Mickler & Associates, Inc.
rmickler@micklerandassociates.com

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