What should Drew's first step be to address a Windows vulnerability with a CVE rating of 9.6?

Addressing a Windows vulnerability with a CVE rating of 9.6 indicates a critical level of severity, as a CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) rating of 9.6 suggests that the vulnerability could allow significant harm, like data breaches or system compromise. Therefore, Drew’s first step should be to check if a patch is available.

Patches are specifically designed updates that address vulnerabilities, and obtaining a patch is crucial to mitigate any associated risks effectively. Often, vendors provide patches promptly after vulnerabilities are disclosed, especially those with high CVE ratings. Implementing these patches can prevent exploitation of the vulnerability before other assessment steps are initiated. This immediate corrective action helps secure the system from potential attacks leveraging the identified vulnerability.

Checking system settings, conducting a full security audit, or disabling unnecessary services are all important security practices. However, they are typically secondary to applying patches directly associated with known vulnerabilities. Immediate action on vulnerabilities, especially those with high risk, must prioritize patch management to minimize exposure to threats.