[Full-Disclosure] MS04-015 - Windows Help Center - Dvdupgrade

2004-05-1200:00:00

vulners.com

    - EXPL-A-2003-027 exploitlabs.com Advisory 027 -

         - Windows Help Center - Dvdupgrade -

OVERVIEW

"Help and Support Center (HSC) is a feature in Windows that provides
help on a variety of topics" It can also be accessed via HCP: URLs.
HSC is installed by default on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 systems.

An input invalidation vulnerability in HSC allows exposes users to
a remote code execution vulnerability that allows an attacker to run
arbitrary code when the victim opens a specially formatted HCP: URL.
The user may be automatically directed to such URL when a web page is
viewed. The issue can also be exploited via e-mail.

AFFECTED PRODUCTS

Microsoft Windows Operating Systems with Help and Support Center

Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1
Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Service Pack 1
Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003
Microsoft Windows ServerT 2003
Microsoft Windows Server 2003

items: "%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe
%windir%\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\System\DVDUpgrd.htm
%windir%\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\System\DVDUpgrd.js

DETAILS

The HSC installation contains various HTML and javascript files,which
are intended to be used by HSC's internal use. The HTML files belong
in the My Computer Zone because they require e.g. the ability to
launch external helper programs with JavaScript.

By using a specialy crafted url an attacker can cause the users local
machine to start and render helpctr.exe in the local context and passes
the injected url to the application. The user is then presented with the
Help and Support DvD Upgrade dialog in Help and Support Center.

With the Dvdupgrade page, The injected url is now linked to the "upgrade
now" button. By pressing the updrade now button, the user is presented
with a (open) / (save) dialog box with the offending ( attackers ) file.

This allows an attacker to initiate the Dvdupgrade action on HSC,
inject JavaScript code which will be run in the context of these HTML
files, speciffically "HCP://system/DVDUpgrd/dvdupgrd.htm". In this
way the attacker can run scripts in the My Computer Zone, which can
e.g. download an start an attacker-supplied EXE program.

As an aside, no url activity is displayed and there is no address or status
bar for Help and Support.

SOLUTION

Microsoft was contacted on March 18th, 2004. A patch has been
produced to correct the vulnerability. They have issued the
following:

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-015
Vulnerability in Help and Support Center Could Allow Remote Code Execution
(840374)
Issued: May 11, 2004
Version: 1.0
Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution
Maximum Severity Rating: Important
Recommendation: Customers should install the update at the earliest opportunity.

Information about the vunerability and the patch can be found at

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms04-015.mspx

PROOF OF CONCEPT

http://exploitlabs.com/msnspoof/poc/
http://exploitlabs.com/msnspoof/poc/index2.html

http://exploitlabs.com/msnspoof/poc/index3.jpg

CREDITS

This vulnerability was discovered and researched by
Donnie Werner of exploitlabs
original advisory available at
http://exploitlabs.com/files/advisories/EXPL-A-2003-027-helpctr.txt

Donnie Werner
Information Security Specialist
[email protected]

Web: http://exploitlabs.com
Ph: (360)-312-8011

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