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HistoryJun 14, 2008 - 12:00 a.m.

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-034 – Important Vulnerability in WINS Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (948745)

2008-06-1400:00:00
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Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-034 – Important
Vulnerability in WINS Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (948745)
Published: June 10, 2008 | Updated: June 11, 2008

Version: 1.1
General Information
Executive Summary

This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in the Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) that could allow elevation of privilege. 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 security update is rated Important for all supported editions of Microsoft Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The update removes the vulnerability by validating the data structures of network packets processed by WINS. For more information about the vulnerability, 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 update at the earliest opportunity.

Known Issues. None
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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 Server Service Pack 4

Elevation of Privilege

Important

MS04-045

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

Elevation of Privilege

Important

None

Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition

Elevation of Privilege

Important

MS04-045

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

Non-Affected Software
Operating System

Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Service Pack 4

Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3

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

Windows Vista and Windows Vista Service Pack 1

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

Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems

Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems

Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Where are the file information details?
The file information details can be found in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 948745.

The description of the vulnerability sounds like remote code execution. Why is this a local elevation of privilege vulnerability?
In order to exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to log onto the affected WINS with valid credentials, run an application that crafts malicious SDP packets, and then send those packets to the locally running WINS service. The WINS service will not accept SDP packets from a remote location and can only accept these packets from the local host.

I am running one of the platforms that are listed in the affected software table. Why am I not being offered the update?
The update can only be installed if WINS is enabled on the operating systems listed in the Affected Software table. By default, WINS is not enabled on these operating systems, so the update will not be offered unless WINS has been enabled.

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 Memory Overwrite Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1451 Aggregate Severity Rating

Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Service Pack 4

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 Server 2003 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
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Memory Overwrite Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1451

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) in the way that WINS does not sufficiently validate the data structures within specially crafted WINS network packets. The vulnerability could allow a local attacker to run code with elevated privileges. 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 date; or create new accounts.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2008-1451.

Mitigating Factors for Memory Overwrite Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1451

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability.

Microsoft has not identified any mitigations for this vulnerability.
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Workarounds for Memory Overwrite Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1451

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.
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FAQ for Memory Overwrite Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1451

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in WINS. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run code with elevated privileges. An attacker could then take complete control of an affected system. Visit the WINS Technet article for more information.

What causes the vulnerability?
WINS does not correctly validate the data structures within specifically crafted WINS network packets.

What is WINS?
WINS is a service that translates NetBIOS names into addresses on a TCP/IP network. Although NetBIOS and NetBIOS names can be used with network protocols other than TCP/IP, Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS) was designed specifically to support NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT). WINS is required for any environment in which users access resources that have NetBIOS names. If you do not use WINS in such a network, you cannot connect to a remote network resource by using its NetBIOS name unless each system includes its own Lmhosts files, and you might be unable to establish file and print sharing connections.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain complete control over the affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
To exploit this vulnerability a local attacker would have to send a specifically crafted packet to the affected WINS service.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Windows WINS Servers are at risk from this vulnerability.

What does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by validating the data structures of network packets processed by WINS.

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.

Other Information
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 (June 10, 2008): Bulletin published.

V1.1 (June 11, 2008): Added entry to Update FAQ to explain why the vulnerability is not a remote code execution vulnerability. Also added entry to Update FAQ to explain why the update will not be offered unless WINS has been enabled on the system.