See also Beware the Latest MP3 Worms http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,56924,00.html
-----Original Message----- From: UNIRAS (UK Govt CERT) [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 19 December 2002 10:43 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: UNIRAS Brief - 461/02 - Microsoft - Unchecked Buffer in Windows Shell Could Enable System Compromise -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------- UNIRAS (UK Govt CERT) Briefing Notice - 461/02 dated 19.12.02 Time: 10:44 UNIRAS is part of NISCC(National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------- UNIRAS material is also available from its website at www.uniras.gov.uk and Information about NISCC is available from www.niscc.gov.uk - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------- Title ===== Microsoft Security Bulletin - MS02-072: Unchecked Buffer in Windows Shell Could Enable System Compromise Detail ====== - -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Unchecked Buffer in Windows Shell Could Enable System Compromise (329390) Date: 18 December 2002 Software: Microsoft Windows XP Impact: Run code of an attacker's choice Max Risk: Critical Bulletin: MS02-072 Microsoft encourages customers to review the Security Bulletins at: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS02-072.asp http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms02-072.asp - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Issue: ====== The Windows Shell is responsible for providing the basic framework of the Windows user interface experience. It is most familiar to users as the Windows Desktop, but also provides a variety of other functions to help define the user's computing session, including organizing files and folders, and providing the means to start applications. An unchecked buffer exists in one of the functions used by the Windows Shell to extract custom attribute information from audio files. A security vulnerability results because it is possible for a malicious user to mount a buffer overrun attack and attempt to exploit this flaw. An attacker could seek to exploit this vulnerability by creating an .MP3 or .WMA file that contained a corrupt custom attribute and then host it on a website, on a network share, or send it via an HTML email. If a user were to hover his or her mouse pointer over the icon for the file (either on a web page or on the local disk), or open the shared folder where the file was stored, the vulnerable code would be invoked. An HTML email could cause the vulnerable code to be invoked when a user opened or previewed the email. A successful attack could have the effect of either causing the Windows Shell to fail, or causing an attacker's code to run on the user's computer in the security context of the user. Mitigating Factors: ==================== - The vulnerability lies in the Windows Shell, rather than Windows Media Player. As a result, playing an audio file with Windows Media Player would not pose any additional risk. - Outlook 98 and 2000 (after installing the Outlook Email Security Update),Outlook 2002, and Outlook Express 6 all open HTML mail in the Restricted Sites Zone. Customers who are using these products and who have also installed Windows XP Service Pack 1 or any recent security patch for Internet Explorer that disables frames in the Restricted Sites zone would not be at risk from automated email-borne attacks. However, these customers could still be attacked if they choose to click on a hyperlink in a malicious HTML email. - In the case where an attacker's code was executed, the code would run in the security context of the user. As a result, any limitations on the user's ability would also restrict the actions that an attacker's code could take. Risk Rating: ============ - Windows XP: Critical Patch Availability: =================== - A patch is available to fix this vulnerability. Please read the Security Bulletin at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms02-072.asp for information on obtaining this patch. Acknowledgment: =============== - Foundstone Research Labs (http://www.foundstone.com) - - --------------------------------------------------------------------- THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. 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SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. - -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP 7.1 iQEVAwUBPgDwqI0ZSRQxA/UrAQFfkAf/fqPzXK8/xx4lroE9OW5FrcJ3t8ljtOcx jEWZbBxSxdNuBcHTsDdafIYQLpGNafl8EhwLGtUHLm9AY8O/hxrYuf5ag/6ayP7R 095icpB73J9kwbNESeR2A/DnlCXcP7yuQIfcAlA2RlbeTBXLcUarodIFzGOpVpY8 ACyYYK6GxptjsG//7blO8u7YLfSVZv/vbJsUk0Nps/lXyJdoL5hiyN7fQ0eZnqxH teQXr1t7RWLyymPNYyiYI+XLt6Y7AgO3Nog9XuXKFJ0SPV5t1/ZbrJDCRvyaFEIu +ARkFii2mPGTo5VO8ez13JHl8iiN645zKfqvM+iI5Kk8OG0DoBrZgw== =CFpx - -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- Reprinted with permission of Microsoft Corporation - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------- For additional information or assistance, please contact the HELP Desk by telephone or Not Protectively Marked information may be sent via EMail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel: 020 7821 1330 Ext 4511 Fax: 020 7821 1686 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------- UNIRAS wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Microsoft for the information contained in this Briefing. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------- This Briefing contains the information released by the original author. Some of the information may have changed since it was released. If the vulnerability affects you, it may be prudent to retrieve the advisory from the canonical site to ensure that you receive the most current information concerning that problem. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by UNIRAS or NISCC. The views and opinions of authors expressed within this notice shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. Neither UNIRAS or NISCC shall also accept responsibility for any errors or omissions contained within this briefing notice. In particular, they shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever, arising from or in connection with the usage of information contained within this notice. UNIRAS is a member of the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) and has contacts with other international Incident Response Teams (IRTs) in order to foster cooperation and coordination in incident prevention, to prompt rapid reaction to incidents, and to promote information sharing amongst its members and the community at large. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------- <End of UNIRAS Briefing> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGPfreeware 6.5.8 for non-commercial use <http://www.pgp.com> iQCVAwUBPgGh+4pao72zK539AQHA2AP+OrPGGlxBMLeNHKMqzpovY4fQ0bH7IJkp mxYG8wHf4InLTtCdraw1lXx5Gr2zv1lWx7w4u85K4Kcfz0P/u7hMGE9rEu1gS2va wWmIJCMK8PaqtYxLRJE67iC6PP972qiXv+THMvuvlqnjUHTxvqEd4rXPLB0N51vs gvGr8VlL9q4= =ucqF -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- IWS INFOCON Mailing List @ IWS - The Information Warfare Site http://www.iwar.org.uk
