Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-077 - Important Vulnerability in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server Could Cause Elevation of Privilege (957175)

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-077 - Important
Vulnerability in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server Could Cause Elevation of Privilege (957175)
Published: December 9, 2008

Version: 1.0
General Information
Executive Summary

This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability. The vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker bypasses authentication by browsing to an administrative URL on a SharePoint site. A successful attack leading to elevation of privilege could result in denial of service or information disclosure.

This security update is rated Important for all supported editions of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Microsoft Search Server 2008. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

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. Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 957175 documents the currently known issues that customers may experience when installing this security update. The article also documents recommended solutions for these issues.
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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 Maximum Security Impact Aggregate Severity Rating Bulletins Replaced by this Update
Microsoft Office Software

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (32-bit editions)
(KB956716)

Elevation of Privilege

Important

MS07-059

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions)
(KB956716)

Elevation of Privilege

Important

None

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (64-bit editions)
(KB956716)

Elevation of Privilege

Important

MS07-059

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions)
(KB956716)

Elevation of Privilege

Important

None
Microsoft Server Software

Microsoft Search Server 2008 (32-bit editions)*
(KB956716)

Elevation of Privilege

Important

None

Microsoft Search Server 2008 (64-bit editions)**
(KB956716)

Elevation of Privilege

Important

None

*Includes Microsoft Search Server 2008 Express (32-bit)

**Includes Microsoft Search Server 2008 Express (64-bit)

Non-Affected Software
Office and Other Software

Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0

Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003 Service Pack 3
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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 957175.

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 Access Control Vulnerability - CVE-2008-4032 Aggregate Severity Rating

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (32-bit editions)

Important

Elevation of Privilege

Important

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions)

Important

Elevation of Privilege

Important

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (64-bit editions)

Important

Elevation of Privilege

Important

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions)

Important

Elevation of Privilege

Important

Microsoft Search Server 2008 (32-bit editions)*

Important

Elevation of Privilege

Important

Microsoft Search Server 2008 (64-bit editions)**

Important

Elevation of Privilege

Important

*Includes Microsoft Search Server 2008 Express (32-bit)

**Includes Microsoft Search Server 2008 Express (64-bit)
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Access Control Vulnerability - CVE-2008-4032

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Service Pack 1. The vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker bypasses authentication by browsing to an administrative URL on a SharePoint site. A successful attack leading to elevation of privilege could result in denial of service or information disclosure.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2008-4032.

Mitigating Factors for Access Control Vulnerability - CVE-2008-4032

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.
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Workarounds for Access Control Vulnerability - CVE-2008-4032

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 malicious HTTP requests using a firewall

Configure your firewall, such as Microsoft ISA Server, to block all HTTP requests to your SharePoint site that contain "mode=ssp" in the URL, but do not contain "/ssp/admin/_layouts" in the URL.
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FAQ for Access Control Vulnerability - CVE-2008-4032

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Service Pack 1 that could allow an unauthenticated user to browse to a section of the SharePoint server intended to perform a subset of administrative functions. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could cause denial of service by executing commands that would cause load on the server; an attacker could also gain sensitive information from the Microsoft Office SharePoint Services, such as internal path names and users' email addresses, and create scripts that would run in the context of the site.

What causes the vulnerability?
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 incorrectly handles access control on a subset of administrative functions.

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, causing denial of service by executing commands that would cause load on the server; an attacker could also gain sensitive information from the Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 such as internal path names and users' email addresses.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could attempt to exploit this vulnerability by using a web browser to bypass authentication by browsing to a vulnerable section of the SharePoint server intended to perform a subset of administrative functions.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Servers that are running Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Service Pack 1 and the workstations that are connected to these servers are primarily at risk of attacks resulting in elevation of privilege. On servers running a vulnerable SharePoint Server, an elevation of privilege could result in a denial of service. On workstations where users are accessing a vulnerable SharePoint site, an elevation of privilege could result in information disclosure.

What does the update do?
This update modifies the way Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 handles authentication for the affected subset of administrative functions.

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:
•

An anonymous finder for reporting the Access Control Vulnerability (CVE-2008-4032).
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Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP)

To improve security protections for customers, Microsoft provides vulnerability information to major security software providers in advance of each monthly security update release. Security software providers can then use this vulnerability information to provide updated protections to customers via their security software or devices, such as antivirus, network-based intrusion detection systems, or host-based intrusion prevention systems. To determine whether active protections are available from security software providers, please visit the active protections Web sites provided by program partners, listed in Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP) Partners.

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 (December 9, 2008): Bulletin published.