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HistoryDec 12, 2006 - 12:00 a.m.

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-074 Vulnerability in SNMP Could Allow Remote Code Execution (926247)

2006-12-1200:00:00
vulners.com
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Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-074
Vulnerability in SNMP Could Allow Remote Code Execution (926247)
Published: December 12, 2006

Version: 1.0
Summary

Who Should Read this Document: Customers who use Microsoft Windows

Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution

Maximum Severity Rating: Important

Recommendation: Customers should apply the update at the earliest opportunity

Security Update Replacement: None

Caveats: None

Tested Software and Security Update Download Locations:

Affected Software:

Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 — Download the update

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 — Download the update

Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition — Download the update

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 — Download the update

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems — Download the update

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition — Download the update

Non-Affected Software:

Windows Vista

The software in this list has been tested to determine whether the versions are affected. Other versions either no longer include security update support or may not be affected. To determine the support life cycle for your product and version, visit the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Web site.

Note The security updates for Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition also apply to Windows Server 2003 R2.
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General Information

Executive Summary

Executive Summary:

This update resolves a newly discovered, privately reported, vulnerability. The vulnerability is documented in the "Vulnerability Details" section of this bulletin.

An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

We recommend that customers apply the update at the earliest opportunity.

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers:
Vulnerability Identifiers Impact of Vulnerability Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 Windows XP Service Pack 2 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1

SNMP Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2006-5583

Remote Code Execution

Important

Important

Important

Important

This assessment is based on the types of systems that are affected by the vulnerability, their typical deployment patterns, and the effect that exploiting the vulnerability would have on them.

Note The severity ratings for non-x86 operating system versions map to the x86 operating systems versions as follows:

The Windows XP Professional x64 Edition severity rating is the same as the Windows XP Service Pack 2 severity rating.

The Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems severity rating is the same as the Windows Server 2003 severity rating.

The Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 for Itanium-based Systems severity rating is the same as the Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 severity rating.

The Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition severity rating is the same as the Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 severity rating.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Extended security update support for Microsoft Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, or Windows Millennium Edition ended on July 11, 2006. I am still using one of these operating systems; what should I do?

Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Millennium Edition have reached the end of their support life cycles. It should be a priority for customers who have these operating system versions to migrate to supported versions to prevent potential exposure to vulnerabilities. For more information about the Windows Product Lifecycle, visit the following Microsoft Support Lifecycle Web site. For more information about the extended security update support period for these operating system versions, visit the Microsoft Product Support Services Web site.

Extended security update support for Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 1a, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002 Service Pack 1, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 Service Pack 1, Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 1a, and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition Service Pack 1 ended on October 10, 2006. I am still using one of these operating systems; what should I do?

Windows XP (all versions) Service Pack 1has reached the end of its support life cycle. It should be a priority for customers who have these operating system versions to migrate to supported versions to prevent potential exposure to vulnerabilities. For more information about the Windows Product Lifecycle, visit the following Microsoft Support Lifecycle Web site. For more information about the extended security update support period for these operating system versions, visit the Microsoft Product Support Services Web site.

Extended security update support for Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Service Pack 6a and Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 ended on June 30, 2004. Extended security update support for Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Service Pack 6a ended on December 31, 2004. Extended security update support for Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 ended on June 30, 2005. I am still using one of these operating systems; what should I do?

Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Service Pack 6a, Windows NT Server 4.0 Service Pack 6a, Windows 2000 Service Pack 2, and Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 have reached the end of their support life cycles. It should be a priority for customers who have these operating system versions to migrate to supported versions to prevent potential exposure to vulnerabilities. For more information about the Windows Product Lifecycle, visit the following Microsoft Support Lifecycle Web site. For more information about the extended security update support period for these operating system versions, visit the Microsoft Product Support Services Web site.

Customers who require custom support for these products must contact their Microsoft account team representative, their Technical Account Manager, or the appropriate Microsoft partner representative for custom support options. Customers without an Alliance, Premier, or Authorized Contract can contact their local Microsoft sales office. For contact information, visit the Microsoft Worldwide Information Web site, select the country, and then click Go to see a list of telephone numbers. When you call, ask to speak with the local Premier Support sales manager. For more information, see the Windows Operating System Product Support Lifecycle FAQ.

Can I use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) to determine whether this update is required?

The following table provides the MBSA detection summary for this security update.
Product MBSA 1.2.1 MBSA 2.0

Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4

Yes

Yes

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2

Yes

Yes

Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

No

Yes

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1

Yes

Yes

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 for Itanium-based Systems

No

Yes

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition family

No

Yes

For more information about MBSA, visit the MBSA Web site. For more information about the programs that Microsoft Update and MBSA 2.0 currently do not detect, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 895660.

For more detailed information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 910723.

Can I use Systems Management Server (SMS) to determine whether this update is required?

The following table provides the SMS detection summary for this security update.
Product SMS 2.0 SMS 2003

Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4

Yes

Yes

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2

Yes

Yes

Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

No

Yes

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1

Yes

Yes

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 for Itanium-based Systems

No

Yes

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition family

No

Yes

SMS 2.0 and SMS 2003 Software Update Services (SUS) Feature Pack can use MBSA 1.2.1 for detection and therefore have the same limitation that is listed earlier in this bulletin related to programs that MBSA 1.2.1 does not detect.

For more information about SMS, visit the SMS Web site.

For more detailed information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 910723.
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Vulnerability Details

SNMP Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2006-5583:

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in SNMP Service that could allow an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability to take complete control of the affected system.

Mitigating Factors for SNMP Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2006-5583:

SNMP service is not installed by default in any supported version of Windows.

For customers who require the affected component, firewall best practices and standard default firewall configurations can help protect networks from attacks that originate outside the enterprise perimeter. Best practices recommend that systems that are connected to the Internet have a minimal number of ports exposed.
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Workarounds for SNMP Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2006-5583:

Microsoft has tested the following workarounds. Although these workarounds will not correct the underlying vulnerability, they help block known attack vectors. When a workaround reduces functionality, it is identified in the following section.

Restrict the IP addresses that are allowed to manage the computer.

Click Start, and then click Run.

In the Open box, type services.msc and then click OK.

Click SNMP Service and select Properties.

Click the Security tab and select Accept SNMP packets from these hosts.

Add the approved management station's IP address by clicking Add, typing in the IP address or host name, and clicking Add.

Block the following at the firewall:

UDP port 161

This port is used to initiate a connection with the affected component. Blocking it at the firewall will help protect systems that are behind that firewall from attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Also, make sure that you block any other specifically configured SNMP port on the remote system. We recommend that you block all unsolicited inbound communication from the Internet to help prevent attacks that may use other ports.

To help protect from network-based attempts to exploit this vulnerability, use a personal firewall, such as the Windows Firewall, which is included with Windows XP.

By default, the Windows Firewall feature in Windows XP helps protect your Internet connection by blocking unsolicited incoming traffic. We recommend that you block all unsolicited incoming communication from the Internet.

To enable the Windows Firewall feature by using the Network Setup Wizard, follow these steps:

Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

Double-click Network Connections and then click Change Windows Firewall settings.

On the General tab, ensure that the On (recommended) value is selected. This will enable the Windows Firewall.

Once the Windows Firewall is enabled, select Don’t allow exceptions to prohibit all incoming traffic.

If you want to enable certain programs and services to communicate through the firewall, de-select Don’t allow exceptions and click the Exceptions tab. On the Exceptions tab, select the programs, protocols, and services you want to enable.

To help protect from network-based attempts to exploit this vulnerability, block the affected ports by using IPSec on the affected systems.

Use Internet Protocol security (IPSec) to help protect network communications. Detailed information about IPSec and about how to apply filters is available in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 313190 and Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 813878.

Disable the SNMP service

Disabling the SNMP service will help protect the affected system from attempts to exploit this vulnerability. To disable the SNMP service, follow these steps:

Click Start, and then click Control Panel. Alternatively, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

Double-click Administrative Tools.

Double-click Services.

Double-click SNMP Service.

In the Startup type list, click Disabled.

Click Stop, and then click OK.

You can also stop and disable the SNMP service by using the following command at the command prompt:

sc stop SNMP & sc config SNMP start= disabled

Impact of Workaround: If you disable the SNMP service, you cannot print locally or remotely. Therefore, we recommend this workaround only on systems that do not require printing.
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FAQ for SNMP Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2006-5583:

What is the scope of the vulnerability?

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in SNMP Service that could allow an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability to take complete control of the affected system.

What causes the vulnerability?

An unchecked buffer in the SNMP service.

What is SNMP?

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) allows administrators to remotely manage network devices such as servers, workstations, routers, bridges, firewalls, and so forth. SNMP is an industry-standard protocol, which allows devices made by many different vendors to be managed via the protocol.

What is the SNMP Service?

The SNMP service allows incoming (Simple Network Management Protocol) SNMP requests to be serviced by the local computer. SNMP includes agents that monitor activity in network devices and report to the network console workstation.

How do I know if the SNMP Service is installed on my system?

You can confirm the installation of the SNMP service on your system by doing the following:

Click Start, and then click Run.

In the Open box, type services.msc and then click OK.

Search for the SNMP Service in the list of Services.

If the SNMP Service is listed then it has been installed.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?

An attacker could try to exploit the vulnerability by creating a specially crafted message and sending the message to an affected system. The message could then cause the affected system to execute code.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?

Microsoft Windows systems are primarily at risk from this vulnerability.

Could the vulnerability be exploited over the Internet?

Yes. An attacker could try to exploit this vulnerability over the Internet. Firewall best practices and standard default firewall configurations can help protect against attacks that originate from the Internet. Microsoft has provided information about how you can help protect your PC. End users can visit the Protect Your PC Web site. IT professionals can visit the Security Guidance Center Web site.

What does the update do?

The update removes the vulnerability by modifying the way that SNMP Service validates the length of a message before it passes the message to the allocated buffer.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?

No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through responsible disclosure.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?

No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers and had not seen any examples of proof of concept code published when this security bulletin was originally issued.

Acknowledgments

Microsoft thanks the following for working with us to help protect customers:

Kostya Kortchinsky of Immunity, Inc. and Clement Seguy of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company for reporting the SNMP Memory Corruption Vulnerability (CVE-2006-5583).

Disclaimer:

The information provided in the Microsoft Knowledge Base is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Microsoft disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.

Revisions:

V1.0 (December 12, 2006): Bulletin published.

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