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securityvulnsSecurityvulnsSECURITYVULNS:DOC:19600
HistoryApr 08, 2008 - 12:00 a.m.

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-025 – Important Vulnerability in Windows Kernel Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (941693)

2008-04-0800:00:00
vulners.com
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Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-025 – Important
Vulnerability in Windows Kernel Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (941693)
Published: April 8, 2008

Version: 1.0
General Information
Executive Summary

This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in the Windows kernel. A local 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.

This is an important security update for all supported editions of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

This security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that the Windows kernel validates inputs passed from user mode. For more information about this vulnerability, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection under the next section, Vulnerability Information.

Recommendation. Microsoft recommends that customers apply the update at the earliest opportunity.

Known Issues. Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 941693 documents the currently known issues that customers may experience when they uninstall this security update.
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Affected and Non-Affected Software

The following software have 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 Maximum Security Impact Aggregate Severity Rating Bulletins Replaced by this Update

Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4

Elevation of Privilege

Important

None

Windows XP Service Pack 2

Elevation of Privilege

Important

None

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Elevation of Privilege

Important

None

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2

Elevation of Privilege

Important

None

Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Elevation of Privilege

Important

None

Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium based Systems

Elevation of Privilege

Important

None

Windows Vista and Windows Vista Service Pack 1

Elevation of Privilege

Important

None

Windows Vista x64 Edition and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1

Elevation of Privilege

Important

None

Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems

Elevation of Privilege

Important

None

Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems

Elevation of Privilege

Important

None

Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems

Elevation of Privilege

Important

None
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

What are the known issues that customers may experience when uninstalling this security update?
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 941693 documents the currently known issues that customers may experience when they uninstall this security update. There are binaries that are shared between the security updates offered by MS08-025 (Kernel) and MS08-021 (GDI). After installing both of these security updates (MS08-025 and MS08-021) and then uninstalling the update offered by MS08-025 (Kernel), the update offered by MS08-021 (GDI) may revert back to the vulnerable version, which will result in the MS08-021 (GDI) update being reoffered to the vulnerable system.

Where are the file information details?
The file information details can be found in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 941693.

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 have 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 Microsoft Support Lifecycle. For more information about the extended security update support period for these software versions or editions, visit Microsoft Product Support Services.

Customers who require custom support for older releases 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 Microsoft Worldwide Information, 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
Vulnerability Severity Rating and Maximum Security Impact by Affected Software
Affected Software Windows Kernel Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1084 Aggregate Severity Rating

Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4

Important
Elevation of Privilege

Important

Windows XP Service Pack 2

Important
Elevation of Privilege

Important

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Important
Elevation of Privilege

Important

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2

Important
Elevation of Privilege

Important

Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Windows 2003 Server x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Important
Elevation of Privilege

Important

Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium based Systems

Important
Elevation of Privilege

Important

Windows Vista and Windows Vista Service Pack 1

Important
Elevation of Privilege

Important

Windows Vista x64 Edition and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1

Important
Elevation of Privilege

Important

Windows Server 2008

Important
Elevation of Privilege

Important
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Windows Kernel Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1084

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists due to the Windows kernel improperly validating input passed from user mode to the kernel. The vulnerability could allow an attacker to run code with elevated privileges. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could execute arbitrary code and 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.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2008-1084.

Mitigating Factors for Windows Kernel Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1084

An attacker must have valid logon credentials and be able to log on locally to a vulnerable system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability could not be exploited remotely or by anonymous users.
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Workarounds for Windows Kernel Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1084

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.
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FAQ for Windows Kernel Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1084

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is an elevation of privilege vulnerability. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could execute arbitrary code and 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.

What causes the vulnerability?
The Windows kernel improperly validating input passed from user mode to the Kernel.

What is the Windows kernel?
The Windows kernel is the core of the operating system. It provides system level services such as device management and memory management, it allocates processor time to processes, and it manages error handling.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in kernel mode. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application that could exploit the vulnerability and take complete control over the affected system.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Any Windows system that allowed potentially hostile users to log on locally could be at risk from this vulnerability. Windows XP Service Pack 3 is not affected by this Vulnerability.

What does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by correctly validating parameters passed to the Windows Kernel by user mode callbacks.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through responsible disclosure. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly disclosed when this security bulletin was originally issued.

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.

Other Information
Acknowledgments

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

Thomas Garnier for reporting the Windows Kernel Vulnerability (CVE-2008-1084).
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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.

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 (April 8, 2008): Bulletin published.

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