2019 SHA-2 Code Signing Support requirement for Windows and WSUS
Applies to: Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2, Windows 10 version 1607, Windows 10 version 1703, Windows 10 version 1709, Windows 10 version 1803, Windows 10 version 1809, Windows 10, Windows Server 2012 Standard, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2019 all versions, Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 2
Summary
To protect your security, Windows operating system updates are dual-signed using both the SHA-1 and SHA-2 hash algorithms to authenticate that updates come directly from Microsoft and were not tampered with during delivery. Due to weaknesses in the SHA-1 algorithm and to align to industry standards Microsoft will only sign Windows updates using the more secure SHA-2 algorithm exclusively.
Customers running legacy OS versions (Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 SP2) will be required to have SHA-2 code signing support installed on their devices by July 2019. Any devices without SHA-2 support will not be offered Windows updates after July 2019. To help prepare you for this change, we will release support for SHA-2 signing in 2019. Some older versions of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) will also receive SHA-2 support to properly deliver SHA-2 signed updates. Refer to the Product Updates section for the migration timeline.
Background details
The Secure Hash Algorithm 1 (SHA-1) was developed as an irreversible hashing function and is widely used as a part of code-signing. Unfortunately, the security of the SHA-1 hash algorithm has become less secure over time due to weaknesses found in the algorithm, increased processor performance, and the advent of cloud computing. Stronger alternatives such as the Secure Hash Algorithm 2 (SHA-2) are now strongly preferred as they do not suffer from the same issues. For more information about of the deprecation of SHA-1, see Hash and Signature Algorithms.
Product updates
Starting in early 2019, the migration process to SHA-2 support will occur in stages, and support will be delivered in standalone updates. Microsoft is targeting the following schedule to offer SHA-2 support. Please note that the timeline below is subject to change. We will update this page as the process begins and as needed...
Read more: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...ning-support-requirement-for-windows-and-wsus