SecurityvulnsSECURITYVULNS:DOC:17981Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-053 - Important Vulnerability in Windows Services for UNIX Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (939778)
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-053 - Important
Vulnerability in Windows Services for UNIX Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (939778)
Published: September 11, 2007 | Updated: September 11, 2007
Version: 1.0
General Information
Executive Summary
This important security update resolves one publicly disclosed vulnerability. A vulnerability exists in Windows Services for UNIX 3.0, Windows Services for UNIX 3.5, and Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications where running certain setuid binary files could allow an attacker to gain elevation of privilege.
This is an important security update for supported releases of Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows Services for UNIX 3.0, Windows Services for UNIX 3.5, and Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications, a component of Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.
For more information about the vulnerabilities, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection for the specific vulnerability entry under the next section, Vulnerability Information.
Recommendation. Microsoft recommends that customers apply the security update.
Known Issues. None.
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Affected and Non-Affected Software
The software listed here has been tested to determine which versions or editions are affected. Other versions or editions are either past their support life cycle or are not affected. To determine the support life cycle for your software version or edition, visit Microsoft Support Lifecycle.
Affected Software
Operating System Component Maximum Security Impact Aggregate Severity Rating Bulletins Replaced by This Update
Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
Windows Services for UNIX 3.0
Elevation of Privilege
Important
None
Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
Windows Services for UNIX 3.5
Elevation of Privilege
Important
None
Windows XP Service Pack 2
Windows Services for UNIX 3.0
Elevation of Privilege
Important
None
Windows XP Service Pack 2
Windows Services for UNIX 3.5
Elevation of Privilege
Important
None
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Windows Services for UNIX 3.0
Elevation of Privilege
Important
None
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Windows Services for UNIX 3.5
Elevation of Privilege
Important
None
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications
Elevation of Privilege
Important
None
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications
Elevation of Privilege
Important
None
Window Vista
Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications
Elevation of Privilege
Important
None
Windows Vista x64 Edition
Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications
Elevation of Privilege
Important
None
Non-affected Software
Software
Windows Services for UNIX 1.0
Windows Services for UNIX 2.0
Windows Services for UNIX 2.1
Windows Services for UNIX 2.2
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update
What are the known issues that customers may experience when they install this security update?
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 939778 documents the currently known issues that customers may experience when they install this security update. The article also documents recommended solutions for these issues.
I am using an older release of the software discussed in this security bulletin. What should I do?
The affected software listed in this bulletin has been tested to determine which releases are affected. Other releases are past their support life cycle. To determine the support life cycle for your software release, visit Microsoft Support Lifecycle.
It should be a priority for customers who have older releases of the software to migrate to supported releases to prevent potential exposure to vulnerabilities. For more information about the Windows Product Lifecycle, visit the following Microsoft Support Lifecycle. For more information about the extended security update support period for these software releases, visit the Microsoft Product Support Services Web site.
Customers who require custom support for older software 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.
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Vulnerability Information
Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers
Affected Software Windows Services for UNIX Could Allow Elevation of Privilege – CVE-2007-3036 Aggregate Severity Rating
Windows Services for UNIX 3.0 on Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Windows Services for UNIX 3.5 on Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Windows Services for UNIX 3.0 on Windows XP Service Pack 2
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Windows Services for UNIX 3.5 on Windows XP Service Pack 2
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Windows Services for UNIX 3.0 on Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Windows Services for UNIX 3.5 on Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications on Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications on Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications on Window Vista
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications on Windows Vista x64 Edition
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
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Windows Services for UNIX Could Allow Elevation of Privilege - CVE-2007-3036
A vulnerability exists in Windows Services for UNIX 3.0, Windows Services for UNIX 3.5, and Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications where running certain setuid binary files could allow an attacker to gain elevation of privilege. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain elevation of privilege.
To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2007-3036.
Mitigating Factors for Windows Services for UNIX Could Allow Elevation of Privilege - CVE-2007-3036
Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state that could reduce the severity of exploitation of vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:
•
Default configurations of Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 do not include Windows Services for UNIX 3.0 and Windows Services for UNIX 3.5. Windows Services for UNIX 3.0 and Windows Services for UNIX 3.5. may be optionally installed on Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2. Windows Vista and Windows Server 2003 do not have Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications enabled by default. Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications is an optional Windows component for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2003.
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Workarounds for Windows Services for UNIX Could Allow Elevation of Privilege - CVE-2007-3036
Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.
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FAQ for Windows Services for UNIX Could Allow Elevation of Privilege - CVE-2007-3036
What is the scope of the vulnerability?
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Windows Services for UNIX 3.0, Windows Services for UNIX 3.5, and Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications where running certain setuid binary files that could allow an attacker to gain elevation of privilege. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain elevation of privilege. An attacker could then install programs or view, change, or delete data.
What causes the vulnerability?
Windows Services for UNIX 3.0, Windows Services for UNIX 3.5, and Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications incorrectly handles setuid binary files.
What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain elevation of privilege on an affected system. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the guest operating system are not less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights on the guest operating system.
How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker would have to log on locally to an affected system and run certain setuid binary files. Or an attacked would have to convince users to run certain setuid binary files.
What is setuid?
Users of client computers can set the setuid (set-user-identifier-on-execution) bit for a file. An executable file which has the setuid bit set will execute under the user ID of the file's owner, not the user ID of the user who is executing the file.
What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack where Windows Services for UNIX 3.0 or Windows Services for UNIX 3.5 is installed. Windows Server 2003 R2 as an extension of Windows Server 2003. Windows Vista where Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications is enabled.
What does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by correctly handling connection credentials for setuid binary files.
When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
Yes. This vulnerability has been publicly disclosed with limited distribution.
Other Information
Acknowledgments
Microsoft thanks the following for working with us to help protect customers:
•
Brian A. Reiter of WolfeReiter for working with us on the Windows Services for UNIX Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (CVE-2007-3036).
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Support
•
Customers in the U.S. and Canada can receive technical support from Microsoft Product Support Services at 1-866-PCSAFETY. There is no charge for support calls that are associated with security updates.
•
International customers can receive support from their local Microsoft subsidiaries. There is no charge for support that is associated with security updates. For more information about how to contact Microsoft for support issues, visit the International Support Web site.
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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.
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Revisions
•
V1.0 (September 11, 2007): Bulletin published.
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