Microsoft security alert.
December 11, 2012
Advisory overview
Qualys Vulnerability R&D Lab has released new vulnerability checks in the Enterprise TruRisk Platform to protect organizations against 12 vulnerabilities that were fixed in 7 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 7 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 Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (MS12-079)
- Severity
- Critical 4
- Qualys ID
- 110201
- Vendor Reference
- MS12-079
- CVE Reference
- CVE-2012-2539
- CVSS Scores
- Base 9.3 / Temporal 7.7
- Description
-
Microsoft Word is a proprietary word processing application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Microsoft Office handles specially crafted RTF files.
Microsoft has released a security update that addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that Microsoft Office parses RTF-formatted data.
This security update is rated Critical for all supported editions of Microsoft Word 2010 and Microsoft Word 2007. This security update is also rated Important for all supported editions of Microsoft Word 2003, and all supported versions of Microsoft Word Viewer, Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack, and Microsoft Office Web Apps.
- Consequence
- The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted RTF file using an affected version of Microsoft Office software, or previews or opens a specially crafted RTF email message in Outlook while using Microsoft Word as the email viewer.
- Solution
-
Patch:
Following are links for downloading patches to fix the vulnerabilities:Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 3 (Microsoft Word 2003 Service Pack 3)
Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 2 (Microsoft Word 2007 Service Pack 2)
Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 3 (Microsoft Word 2007 Service Pack 3)
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 2
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 3
Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Service Pack 1 (Word Automation Services)
Microsoft Office Web Apps 2010 Service Pack 1
Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 3 (Microsoft Word 2003 Service Pack 3)
Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 2 (Microsoft Word 2007 Service Pack 2)
Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 3 (Microsoft Word 2007 Service Pack 3)
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 2
Refer to Microsoft Security Bulletin MS12-079 for further details.
Workaround:
1) Read emails in plain text
Impact of workaround. Email messages that are viewed in plain text format will not contain pictures, specialized fonts, animations, or other rich content.
2)Use Microsoft Office File Block policy to block the opening of RTF documents from unknown or untrusted sources and locations
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Microsoft Internet Explorer Cumulative Security Update (MS12-077)
- Severity
- Urgent 5
- Qualys ID
- 100130
- Vendor Reference
- MS12-077
- CVE Reference
- CVE-2012-4781, CVE-2012-4782, CVE-2012-4787
- CVSS Scores
- Base 9.3 / Temporal 7.7
- Description
-
Microsoft Internet Explorer is prone to multiple vulnerabilities that could allow remote code execution.
Microsoft released a security update that addresses the following vulnerabilities by modifying the way Internet Explorer handles objects in memory.
- InjectHTMLStream Use After Free Vulnerability (CVE-2012-4781)
- CMarkup Use After Free Vulnerability (CVE-2012-4782)
- Improper Ref Counting Use After Free Vulnerability (CVE-2012-4787)
Affected Software:
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.This security update is rated Critical.
Windows Embedded Systems:- For additional information regarding security updates for embedded systems, refer to the following MSDN blog(s):
December 2012 Security Updates are Live on ECE for XPe and Standard 2009 (KB2761465)
- Consequence
- Successful exploitation allows execution of arbitrary code.
- Solution
-
Patch:
Following are links for downloading patches to fix the vulnerabilities:Windows XP Service Pack 3 (Internet Explorer 6)
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 (Internet Explorer 6)
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (Internet Explorer 6)
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 (Internet Explorer 6)
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems (Internet Explorer 6)
Windows XP Service Pack 3 (Internet Explorer 7)
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 (Internet Explorer 7)
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (Internet Explorer 7)
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 (Internet Explorer 7)
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems (Internet Explorer 7)
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (Internet Explorer 7)
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 (Internet Explorer 7)
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Internet Explorer 7)
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Internet Explorer 7)
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Internet Explorer 7)
Windows XP Service Pack 3 (Internet Explorer 8)
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 (Internet Explorer 8)
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (Internet Explorer 8)
For a complete list of patch download links, please refer to Microsoft Security Bulletin MS12-077.
-
Microsoft Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (MS12-078)
- Severity
- Critical 4
- Qualys ID
- 90848
- Vendor Reference
- MS12-078
- CVE Reference
- CVE-2012-2556, CVE-2012-4786
- CVSS Scores
- Base 10 / Temporal 8.3
- Description
-
Multiple remote code execution vulnerabilities affect windows kernel-mode drivers.
The first vulnerability is caused when the OpenType Font (OTF) driver does not properly handle objects in memory.
The second vulnerability is caused when Windows fails to properly handle specially crafted TrueType Fonts (TTF) files.
Microsoft has released a security update that addresses the vulnerabilities by correcting the way that the Windows kernel-mode drivers handle objects in memory.
This security update is rated Critical for all supported releases of Microsoft Windows (except Server Core installations, which are rated Important).
Windows Embedded Systems:- For additional information regarding security updates for embedded systems, refer to the following MSDN blog(s):
December 2012 Security Updates are Live on ECE for XPe and Standard 2009 (KB2753842, 2779030)
January 2013 Security Updates Are on ECE for XPe SP3 and Standard 2009 (KB2753842)
February 2013 Security Updates Are on MyOEM and ECE for XPe SP3 and Standard 2009 (KB2753842)
- Consequence
- Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution.
- Solution
-
Patch:
Following are links for downloading patches to fix the vulnerabilities:Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2
For a complete list of patch download links, please refer to Microsoft Security Bulletin MS12-078.
Workaround:
1) Disable the WebClient serviceImpact of workaround #1 - When the WebClient service is disabled, Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) requests are not transmitted.
2) Block TCP ports 139 and 445 at the firewall
Impact of workaround #2 - Several Windows services use the affected ports. Blocking connectivity to the ports may cause various applications or services to not function.
3) Disable the Preview Pane and Details Pane in Windows Explorer
-
Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (MS12-080)
- Severity
- Critical 4
- Qualys ID
- 74262
- Vendor Reference
- MS12-080
- CVE Reference
- CVE-2012-3214, CVE-2012-3217, CVE-2012-4791
- CVSS Scores
- Base 3.5 / Temporal 2.6
- Description
-
Microsoft Exchange Server is a messaging and collaborative software product that provides support for electronic mail, calendaring, contacts and tasks, mobile and Web-based access to information, and data storage.
This security update resolves publicly disclosed vulnerabilities and one privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server. The most severe vulnerabilities are in Microsoft Exchange Server WebReady Document Viewing and could allow remote code execution in the security context of the transcoding service on the Exchange server if a user previews a specially crafted file using Outlook Web App (OWA).
This security update is rated Critical for Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 3, Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 1 and Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 2.
- Consequence
- An attacker who successfully exploits these vulnerabilities could run arbitrary code under the process that parsing of the specially crafted files.
- Solution
-
Patch:
Following are links for downloading patches to fix the vulnerabilities:Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 3
Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 1
Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 2
Refer to Microsoft Security Bulletin MS12-080 for further details.
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Windows File Handling Component Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (MS12-081)
- Severity
- Critical 4
- Qualys ID
- 90847
- Vendor Reference
- MS12-081
- CVE Reference
- CVE-2012-4774
- CVSS Scores
- Base 9.3 / Temporal 6.9
- Description
-
This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user browses to a folder that contains a file or subfolder with a specially crafted name.
This security update is rated Critical for all supported editions of Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2. Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, and Window RT are not affected by the vulnerability.
Windows Embedded Systems:- For additional information regarding security updates for embedded systems, refer to the following MSDN blog(s):
December 2012 Security Updates Are on ECE for XPe SP3 and Standard 2009 (KB2758857)
- Consequence
- An attacker who successfully exploits these vulnerabilities could gain the same user rights as the current user.
- Solution
-
Patch:
Following are links for downloading patches to fix the vulnerabilities:Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2
For a complete list of patch download links, please refer to Microsoft Security Bulletin MS12-081.
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Microsoft DirectPlay Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (MS12-082)
- Severity
- Critical 4
- Qualys ID
- 90846
- Vendor Reference
- MS12-082
- CVE Reference
- CVE-2012-1537
- CVSS Scores
- Base 9.3 / Temporal 7.7
- Description
-
DirectPlay is a network protocol that shipped with Microsoft DirectX to help game developers create multi-player networked games without having to implement sophisticated network protocols.
DirectPlay is prone to a remote code execution vulnerability that is caused when Windows DirectPlay fails to properly handle specially crafted office documents.
Microsoft has released a security update that addresses the vulnerability by correcting the way that DirectPlay handles specially crafted content.
This security update is rated Important for all supported releases of Microsoft Windows except Windows RT.
Windows Embedded Systems:- For additional information regarding security updates for embedded systems, refer to the following MSDN blog(s):
December 2012 Security Updates are Live on ECE for XPe and Standard 2009 (KB2770660)
- Consequence
- If this vulnerability is successfully exploited, an attacker can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user.
- Solution
-
Patch:
Following are links for downloading patches to fix the vulnerabilities:Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1
For a complete list of patch download links, please refer to Microsoft Security Bulletin MS12-082.
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Microsoft Windows IP-HTTPS Component Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability (MS12-083)
- Severity
- Critical 4
- Qualys ID
- 90845
- Vendor Reference
- MS12-083
- CVE Reference
- CVE-2012-2549
- CVSS Scores
- Base 5.8 / Temporal 4.8
- Description
-
IP over HTTPS (IP-HTTPS) is a protocol that allows secure IP tunnels to be established using secure HTTP connections. It is commonly used in Microsoft DirectAccess deployments.
A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Windows due to the way the IP-HTTPS Component handles certificates. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could bypass certificate validation checks. (CVE-2012-2549)
Affected Software:
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1
Windows Server 2012This security update is rated Important.
- Consequence
- An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could bypass a security feature that relies on the validity of certificates.
- Solution
-
Patch:
Following are links for downloading patches to fix the vulnerabilities:Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
Refer to Microsoft Security Bulletin MS12-083 for further details.
Workaround:
Disable the domain computer accounts associated with revoked client certificates.
These new vulnerability checks are included in Qualys vulnerability signature 2.2.302-3. 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).
-
Enable the following Qualys IDs:
- 110201
- 100130
- 90848
- 74262
- 90847
- 90846
- 90845
- 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.