Microsoft security alert.
March 8, 2011
Advisory overview
Qualys Vulnerability R&D Lab has released new vulnerability checks in the Enterprise TruRisk Platform to protect organizations against 4 vulnerabilities that were fixed in 3 bulletins announced today by Microsoft. Customers can immediately audit their networks for these and other new vulnerabilities by accessing their Qualys subscription. Visit Qualys Security Blog to prioritize remediation.
Non-Qualys customers can audit their network for these and other vulnerabilities by signing up for a Qualys Free Trial, or by trying Qualys Community Edition.
Vulnerability details
Microsoft has released 3 security bulletins to fix newly discovered flaws in their software. Qualys has released the following checks for these new vulnerabilities:
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Microsoft Windows Media Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (MS11-015)
- Severity
- Critical 4
- Qualys ID
- 90690
- Vendor Reference
- MS11-015
- CVE Reference
- CVE-2011-0032, CVE-2011-0042
- CVSS Scores
- Base 9.3 / Temporal 7.3
- Description
-
A remote code execution vulnerability is caused when Microsoft DirectShow incorrectly restricts the path used for loading external libraries.
A remote code execution vulnerability is caused when Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center do not properly parse specially crafted .dvr-ms media files.
Microsoft has released a security update that addresses these vulnerabilities by modifying the way library files and Windows media files are opened.
This security update is rated Critical for affected editions of Windows XP (including Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005); all supported editions of Windows Vista and Windows 7; and Windows Media Center TV Pack for Windows Vista. This security update is also rated Important for all supported editions of Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based systems.
Windows Embedded Systems:- For additional information regarding security updates for embedded systems, refer to the following MSDN blog(s):
March Security Updates for XP Embedded SP3 and Standard 2009 Are Now on ECE (KB2510030, 2479943)
April Security Updates for XP Embedded SP3 and Standard 2009 Are Now on ECE (KB2510030)
- Consequence
- These vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Microsoft Digital Video Recording (.dvr-ms) file.
- Solution
-
Patch:
Following are links for downloading patches to fix the vulnerabilities:Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Service Pack 3
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems and Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems and Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
Windows Media Center TV Pack for Windows Vista (32-bit editions
Windows Media Center TV Pack for Windows Vista (64-bit editions
Refer to Microsoft Security Bulletin MS11-015 for further details.
Workaround:
1) Disable loading of libraries from WebDAV and remote network shares. Refer to Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2264107 to use the automated Microsoft Fix it solution.2) Disable the WebClient service
Impact of workaround #2: When the WebClient service is disabled, Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) requests are not transmitted. In addition, any services that explicitly depend on the Web Client service will not start, and an error message will be logged in the System log.
3) Block TCP ports 139 and 445 at the firewall
Impact of workaround #3: Several Windows services use the affected ports. Blocking connectivity to the ports may cause various applications or services to not function.
4) Restrict access to the Stream Buffer Engine (SBE.dll)
Impact of workaround #4: Play back of .dvr-ms files generated by the Stream Buffer Engine is disabled.
Refer to the advisory to obtain additional information on applying the workarounds.
-
Microsoft Office Groove Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (MS11-016)
- Severity
- Critical 4
- Qualys ID
- 110145
- Vendor Reference
- MS11-016
- CVE Reference
- CVE-2010-3146
- CVSS Scores
- Base 9.3 / Temporal 7.3
- Description
-
Groove 2007 is a collaboration software program teams can use to share information.
A remote code execution vulnerability exists when Microsoft Groove 2007 incorrectly restricts the path used for loading external libraries.
Microsoft has released an update that addresses this vulnerability by correcting the manner in which Microsoft Groove 2007 loads external libraries.
This security update is rated Important for Microsoft Groove 2007 Service Pack 2.
- Consequence
- 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 data; or create new accounts with full user rights.
- Solution
-
Patch:
Following are links for downloading patches to fix the vulnerabilities:Microsoft Groove 2007 Service Pack 2
Refer to Microsoft Security Bulletin MS11-016 for further details.
Workarounds:
1) Disable loading of libraries from WebDAV and remote network shares. Refer to Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2264107 to use the automated Microsoft Fix it solution.2) Disable the WebClient service
Impact of workaround #2: When the WebClient service is disabled, Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) requests are not transmitted. In addition, any services that explicitly depend on the Web Client service will not start, and an error message will be logged in the System log.
3) Block TCP ports 139 and 445 at the firewall
Impact of workaround #3: Several Windows services use the affected ports. Blocking connectivity to the ports may cause various applications or services to not function.
Refer to the advisory to obtain additional information on applying the workarounds.
-
Microsoft Windows Remote Desktop Client Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (MS11-017)
- Severity
- Critical 4
- Qualys ID
- 90689
- Vendor Reference
- MS11-017
- CVE Reference
- CVE-2011-0029
- CVSS Scores
- Base 9.3 / Temporal 7.3
- Description
-
The Remote Desktop feature in Windows enables access to all of the programs, resources, and accessories on a user's computer from a second Windows-based computer.
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Windows Remote Desktop Client handles the loading of DLL files. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system.
Microsoft has released a security update that addresses the vulnerability by correcting the manner in which the Windows Remote Desktop Client loads external libraries.
This security update is rated Important for Remote Desktop Connection 5.2 Client, Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 Client, Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 Client, and Remote Desktop Connection 7.0 Client.
Windows Embedded Systems:- For additional information regarding security updates for embedded systems, refer to the following MSDN blog(s):
March Security Updates for XP Embedded SP3 and Standard 2009 Are Now on ECE (KB2508062, 2481109, 2483614, 2483618)
April Security Updates for XP Embedded SP3 and Standard 2009 Are Now on ECE (KB2508062, 2481109, 2483614, 2483618)
- Consequence
- Successfully exploiting this vulnerability might allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code.
- Solution
-
Patch:
Following are links for downloading patches to fix the vulnerabilities:Windows XP Service Pack 3 (Remote Desktop Connection 5.2 Client)
Windows XP Service Pack 3 (Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 Client)
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 (Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 Client)
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 Client)
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 (Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 Client)
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 Client)
Windows XP Service Pack 3 (Remote Desktop Connection 7.0 Client)
For a complete list of patch download links, please refer to Microsoft Security Bulletin MS11-017.
Workaround:
1) Disable loading of libraries from WebDAV and remote network shares. Refer to Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2264107 to use the automated Microsoft Fix it solution.2) Disable the WebClient service
Impact of workaround #2: When the WebClient service is disabled, Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) requests are not transmitted. In addition, any services that explicitly depend on the Web Client service will not start, and an error message will be logged in the System log.
3) Block TCP ports 139 and 445 at the firewall
Impact of workaround #3: Several Windows services use the affected ports. Blocking connectivity to the ports may cause various applications or services to not function.
Refer to the advisory to obtain additional information on applying the workarounds.
These new vulnerability checks are included in Qualys vulnerability signature 1.28.44-3. Each Qualys account is automatically updated with the latest vulnerability signatures as they become available. To view the vulnerability signature version in your account, from the Qualys Help menu, select the About tab.
Selective Scan Instructions Using Qualys
To perform a selective vulnerability scan, configure a scan profile to use the following options:
- Ensure access to TCP ports 135 and 139 are available.
- Enable Windows Authentication (specify Authentication Records).
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Enable the following Qualys IDs:
- 90690
- 110145
- 90689
- If you would like the scan to return the Windows Hostname, also include QID 82044 and ensure access to UDP port 137 is available.
- If you would like to be notified if Qualys is unable to log on to a host (if Authentication fails), also include QID 105015.
In addition, prior to running a scan for these new vulnerabilities, you can estimate your exposure to these new threats by running the Risk Analysis Report, available from the Qualys Vulnerability Management Reports tab.
Access for Qualys Customers
Platforms and Platform Identification
Technical Support
For more information, customers may contact Qualys Technical Support.
About Qualys
The Enterprise TruRisk Platform and its integrated suite of security and compliance applications provides organizations of all sizes with a global view of their security and compliance solutions, while drastically reducing their total cost of ownership. Qualys solutions include: continuous monitoring, vulnerability management, policy compliance, PCI compliance, security assessment questionnaire, web application scanning, web application firewall, malware detection and SECURE Seal for security testing of web sites.