SecurityvulnsSECURITYVULNS:DOC:270Security Bulletin (MS00-038)
Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS00-038)
Patch Available for "Malformed Windows Media Encoder Request"
Vulnerability
May 30, 2000
Summary
Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a security
vulnerability in Microsoft(r) Windows(r) Media Encoder, which ships as
a component of the Windows Media Technologies. The vulnerability could
allow a malicious user to interfere with a digital content provider's
ability to supply real-time audio and video broadcasts.
Frequently asked questions regarding this vulnerability and the
patch can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq00-038.asp
Issue
Windows Media Encoder is a component of the Windows Media Tools, which
are part of the Windows Media Technologies. Windows Media Encoder is
used to convert digital content into Windows Media Format for
distribution by Windows Media Services in Windows NT and Windows 2000
Server. If a request with a particular malformation were sent to an
affected encoder, it could cause it to fail, thereby denying formatted
content to the Windows Media Server.
This vulnerability would primarily affect streaming media providers
that supply real-time broadcasts of streaming media - it would not
prevent a Windows Media Server from distributing already-encoded data.
The vulnerability cannot be used to cause a machine to crash, nor can
it be used to usurp any administrative privileges. Simply locating the
server could be a challenge, because the IP address of the Windows
Media Encoder would typically not be advertised.
Affected Software Versions
- Microsoft Windows Media Encoder 4.0
- Microsoft Windows Media Encoder 4.1
Patch Availability
Note: The patch installs an updated version of Windows Media Encoder
4.1. It is suitable for use on systems running either Windows Media
Encoder 4.0 or 4.1
Note: Additional security patches are available at the Microsoft
Download Center
More Information
Please see the following references for more information related to
this issue.
- Frequently Asked Questions: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS00-038,
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq00-038.asp - Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q264133 discusses this issue
and will be available soon. - Microsoft TechNet Security web site,
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/default.asp
Obtaining Support on this Issue
This is a fully supported patch. Information on contacting Microsoft
Technical Support is available at
http://support.microsoft.com/support/contact/default.asp.
Acknowledgments
Microsoft thanks Kit Knox for reporting this issue to us and working
with us to protect customers.
Revisions
- May 30, 2000: Bulletin Created.
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Last Updated May 30, 2000
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