Microsoft has released an additional security bulletin and software updates to address the Microsoft Windows video msvidctl ActiveX control code execution vulnerability.
Description
Microsoft Windows contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code.
The vulnerability is due to a stack overwrite error in the Microsoft Video ActiveX control. An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to view a malicious website. If successful, the attacker could execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user, possibly resulting in complete system compromise.
Exploit code has been detected in the wild and is being used as part of ongoing attacks.
Microsoft confirmed this vulnerability in a security bulletin and released software updates.
Warning Indicators
The following Microsoft products are affected:
Windows 2000 SP4 and prior
Windows XP SP3 and prior
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition SP2 and prior
Windows Server 2003 SP2 and prior
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition SP2 and prior
Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems SP2 and prior
Windows Vista SP2 and prior
Windows Vista x64 Edition SP2 and prior
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems SP2 and prior
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems SP2 and prior
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems SP2 and prior
IntelliShield Analysis
Attackers cannot directly exploit this vulnerability and instead must rely on user interaction to accomplish an exploit. An attacker may attempt to convince a user to visit a malicious website by sending links to the user in targeted e-mail messages. Attackers may also embed exploits in public sites as the result of site server compromises or functionality that allows the upload of untrusted third-party content. In this case, the attacker would rely on users to visit those sites on their own.
If an exploit is successful, the attacker could execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user, which may allow the attacker to completely compromise the system.
Ongoing attacks have been detected. Attackers have used exploits to install malicious software on vulnerable systems.
The update available from Microsoft corrects this vulnerability by preventing the vulnerable control from being instantiated within browser applications.
Event data from Cisco Remote Management Services has detected intrusion prevention system signature activity related to this vulnerability. The data, which was captured on July 21, 2009, could indicate that exploitation of this vulnerability is taking place in the wild.
US-CERT has released a vulnerability note at the following link: VU#180513
Impact
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user, possibly allowing the attacker to gain complete control over the system if the user holds elevated privileges.
Technical Information
The vulnerability is due to a stack overwrite error in an ActiveX control in the Microsoft DirectShow msvidctl.dll component. The Microsoft Video ActiveX control (BDATuner.MPEG2TuneRequest.1) may fail to properly sanitize user-supplied input. The vulnerability is in the Load method of the ATL template interface IPersistStreamInit when it handles crafted input that is supplied to the data property.
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to view a malicious website. Successful exploitation could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user, which may result in complete system compromise.
Safeguards
Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.
Administrators may consider configuring Internet Explorer to prompt users before running Active Scripting or ActiveX controls by setting the Internet and Local Intranet security zone settings to High. Alternately, administrators could disable Active Scripting and ActiveX controls in these security zones.
Users are advised not to visit websites or follow links that have suspicious characteristics or cannot be verified as safe.
Users are advised to run applications with the least privileges necessary.
Cisco Security Intelligence Operations has tested Cisco Security Agent to verify that it prevents the malicious actions initiated by active exploitation of this vulnerability. As a result, system compromise is mitigated.
Patches/Software
Microsoft customers can obtain updates directly by using the links in the security bulletin. These updates are also distributed by Windows automatic update features and available on the Windows Update website. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Systems Management Server, and System Center Configuration Manager can assist administrators in deploying software updates.
Signatures
Cisco Systems Cisco Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) 6.0
Version 8, July 22, 2009, 1:22 PM: Cisco has re-released the Applied Mitigation Bulletin that addresses the Microsoft Security Bulletin Release for July 2009. This update reports intrusion prevention system activity that is related to the Microsoft Windows video msvidctl ActiveX control code execution vulnerability.
Version 7, July 14, 2009, 2:28 PM: Microsoft has released a security bulletin and software updates to address the Windows Video msvidctl.dll ActiveX control code execution vulnerability.
Version 6, July 10, 2009, 12:49 PM: Additional technical information is available regarding the Microsoft Windows Video msvidctl.dll ActiveX control code execution vulnerability.
Version 5, July 9, 2009 4:59 PM: The Cisco Applied Intelligence team has updated the Applied Mitigation Bulletin that is associated with this alert with information regarding the use of Cisco Security Agent as a mitigation for this vulnerability.
Version 4, July 8, 2009, 10:01 AM: Microsoft has released a security fix to address the Microsoft Video msvidctl.dll ActiveX control code execution vulnerability.
Version 3, July 7, 2009, 12:16 PM: Microsoft has released a security fix to address the Microsoft Video msvidctl.dll ActiveX control code execution vulnerability. US-CERT has released a vulnerability note.
Version 2, July 6, 2009, 1:30 PM: Microsoft released a security advisory to address the Microsoft Video msvidctl.dll ActiveX control code execution vulnerability.
Version 1, July 06, 2009, 9:54 AM: Microsoft Windows contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code. Updates are not available.
Datacenter Edition Base | Datacenter Edition, 64-bit Base | Enterprise Edition Base | Enterprise Edition, 64-bit Base | Essential Business Server Premium Base | Essential Business Server Premium, 64-bit Base | Essential Business Server Standard Base | Itanium-Based Systems Edition Base | Standard Edition Base | Standard Edition, 64-bit Base | Web Server Base | Web Server, 64-bit Base
Microsoft, Inc.
Windows Vista
Business Base, SP1 | Business x64 Edition Base, SP1 | Enterprise Base, SP1 | Enterprise x64 Edition Base, SP1 | Home Basic Base, SP1 | Home Basic x64 Edition Base, SP1 | Home Premium Base, SP1 | Home Premium x64 Edition Base, SP1 | Ultimate Base, SP1 | Ultimate x64 Edition Base, SP1
Microsoft, Inc.
Windows XP
Home Edition Base, SP1, SP2, SP3 | Professional Edition Base, SP1, SP2, SP3 | Professional x64 (AMD/EM64T) Base, SP2
Associated Products:
N/A
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