SecurityvulnsSECURITYVULNS:DOC:20031Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-035 – Important Vulnerability in Active Directory Could Allow Denial of Service (953235)
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-035 – Important
Vulnerability in Active Directory Could Allow Denial of Service (953235)
Published: June 10, 2008 | Updated: June 11, 2008
Version: 1.1
General Information
Executive Summary
This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in implementations of Active Directory on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2008; Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) when installed on Windows XP Professional and Windows Server 2003; and Active Directory Lightweight Directory Service (AD LDS) when installed on Windows Server 2008. The vulnerability could be exploited to allow an attacker to cause a denial of service condition. On Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2008, an attacker must have valid logon credentials to exploit this vulnerability. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could cause the system to stop responding or automatically restart.
This security update is rated Important for all supported editions of Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, and rated Moderate for select editions of Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2008. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.
The security update addresses the vulnerability by validating client LDAP requests. 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
Software Component Maximum Security Impact Aggregate Severity Rating Bulletins Replaced by This Update
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Service Pack 4
Active Directory
(KB949014)
Denial of Service
Important
MS08-003
Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2
ADAM
(KB949269)
Denial of Service
Moderate
MS08-003
Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3
ADAM
(KB949269)
Denial of Service
Moderate
None
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
ADAM
(KB949269)
Denial of Service
Moderate
MS08-003
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Active Directory
(KB949014)
Denial of Service
Moderate
MS08-003
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
ADAM
(KB949269)
Denial of Service
Moderate
MS08-003
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Active Directory
(KB949014)
Denial of Service
Moderate
MS08-003
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
ADAM
(KB949269)
Denial of Service
Moderate
MS08-003
Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems
Active Directory
(KB949014)
Denial of Service
Moderate
MS08-003
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems*
Active Directory
(KB949014)
Denial of Service
Moderate
None
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems*
AD LDS
(KB949014)
Denial of Service
Moderate
None
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems*
Active Directory
(KB949014)
Denial of Service
Moderate
None
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems*
AD LDS
(KB949014)
Denial of Service
Moderate
None
*For supported editions of Windows Server 2008, the same severity rating applies whether or not installed using the Server Core installation option. For more information on this installation option, see Server Core. Note that the Server Core installation option does not apply to certain editions of Windows Server 2008; see Compare Server Core Installation Options.
Non-Affected Software
Operating System
Windows 2000 Professional Service Pack 4
Windows XP Home Service Pack 2
Windows XP Tablet Edition Service Pack 2
Windows XP Media Center 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 Itanium-based Systems
Note These editions of Windows are not affected because they do not include ADAM or the Active Directory server component.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update
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 will only be offered to systems on which the affected component is both installed and enabled. Active Directory and AD LDS are enabled by default upon installation. ADAM is not enabled upon installation. To have ADAM enabled on your machine, you need to create an instance of ADAM via the ADAM menu group under the Start menu.
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 Active Directory Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1445 Aggregate Severity Rating
Active Directory on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Service Pack 4
Important
Denial of Service
Important
ADAM when installed on Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3
Moderate
Denial of Service
Moderate
ADAM when installed on Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Moderate
Denial of Service
Moderate
Active Directory on Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Moderate
Denial of Service
Moderate
ADAM when installed on Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Moderate
Denial of Service
Moderate
Active Directory on Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Moderate
Denial of Service
Moderate
ADAM when installed on Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Moderate
Denial of Service
Moderate
Active Directory on Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems
Moderate
Denial of Service
Moderate
Active Directory on Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems*
Moderate
Denial of Service
Moderate
AD LDS on Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems*
Moderate
Denial of Service
Moderate
Active Directory on Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems*
Moderate
Denial of Service
Moderate
AD LDS on Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems*
Moderate
Denial of Service
Moderate
*For supported editions of Windows Server 2008, the same severity rating applies whether or not installed using the Server Core installation option. For more information on this installation option, see Server Core. Note that the Server Core installation option does not apply to certain editions of Windows Server 2008; see Compare Server Core Installation Options.
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Active Directory Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1445
A denial of service vulnerability exists in implementations of Active Directory on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2008. The vulnerability also exists in implementations of Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) when installed on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 and Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) when installed on Windows Server 2008. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of specially crafted LDAP requests. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could cause the computer to stop responding and automatically restart.
To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2008-1445.
Mitigating Factors for Active Directory Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1445
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. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:
Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.
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Workarounds for Active Directory Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1445
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:
•
Block TCP ports 389, 636, 3268 and 3269 at the perimeter firewall
These ports are used to initiate a connection with the affected component. Blocking them at the enterprise firewall, both inbound and outbound, will help prevent systems that are behind that firewall from attempts to exploit this vulnerability. We recommend that you block all unsolicited inbound communication from the Internet to help prevent attacks that may use other ports. For more information about ports, see TCP and UDP Port Assignments.
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FAQ for Active Directory Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1445
What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a denial of service vulnerability. An attacker who exploited this vulnerability could cause the affected system to stop responding and automatically restart. Note that the denial of service vulnerability would not allow an attacker to execute code or to elevate their user rights, but it could cause the affected system to stop accepting requests.
What causes the vulnerability?
The LDAP service performs insufficient checks for specially crafted LDAP requests.
What is LDAP?
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is an open network protocol standard designed to provide access to distributed directories.
What is Active Directory?
Active Directory is a Windows component that provides central authentication and authorization services for Windows-based computers.
What is Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM)?
ADAM is a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directory service that runs as a user service for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, rather than as a system service.
What is Active Directory Lightweight Directory Service (AD LDS)?
AD LDS is a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directory service that runs as a user service for Windows Server 2008, rather than as a system service.
What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could cause a user’s system to become non-responsive and restart.
How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could try to exploit the vulnerability by sending a specially crafted LDAP packet to the ADAM or an Active Directory or AD LDS server. For Windows 2000 Server, any anonymous user with access to the target network could deliver a specially crafted network packet to the affected system in order to exploit this vulnerability. On Windows Server 2003 or systems with ADAM installed, the attacker must have valid authentication credentials in order to exploit this vulnerability.
What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is a requirement for Active Directory and ADAM. Therefore, any system running as an ADAM, Active Directory, or AD LDS server is affected by this vulnerability.
What does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by validating the specially crafted client LDAP requests.
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:
•
Alex Matthews and John Guzik of Securify for reporting the Active Directory Vulnerability – (CVE-2008-1445)
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): Removed erroneous known issues entry from the Update FAQ. Also added ports to be blocked in the Workarounds for Active Directory Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1445 section.
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