Title

The Windows 8 default Help + Tips app must be updated with the latest security patches or removed from the system. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Applications must be updated as flaws are identified and remediations are made available. The default method for updating Windows 8 apps is through the Windows Store, which is required to be blocked. An alternate method must be used to maintain the default Windows 8 apps with the latest security updates if they are allowed on a system.

Check Content

Verify the default Help + Tips app has been patched with the latest security related updates or removed from the system. Open a command prompt as an administrator. Enter "dism /online /Get-ProvisionedAppxPackages". If "DisplayName : Microsoft.HelpAndTips" is listed and has not been updated with the latest security related updates, this is a finding. The "PackageName" field will identify the version installed. Microsoft Article 2971128 summarizes security related updates to the default apps, including versions and release dates. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2971128

Fix Text

Maintain the Help + Tips app with the latest security related updates or remove it from the system. Microsoft provides security related updates to default provisioned apps through the Microsoft Update Catalog for WSUS or as MSI files, as an alternate method to the Windows Store for updating. Microsoft Article 2971128 summarizes security related updates to the default apps, including versions and release dates. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2971128 To remove the Help + Tips app from the system: Open a command prompt as an administrator. Enter "dism /online /Get-ProvisionedAppxPackages". Make note of the PackageName (e.g., Microsoft.HelpAndTips_2013.822.1812.1279_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe). Enter the following to remove the app package from the system: "dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:packagename", substituting "packagename" noted from the previous step. Uninstall the application from any user profiles provisioned prior to this.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-56061r5_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-43308

Group Title: WN08-GE-000051

Expert Comments

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