Sun has released a security notification and patches to address the Microsoft Visual Studio Active Template Library OleLoadFromStream remote object instantiation vulnerability.
Description
The Microsoft Visual Studio Active Template Library contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass security restrictions and execute arbitrary code.
The vulnerability is in products that have been made using the Visual Studio Active Template Library. Such applications may contain code that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass security restrictions and execute arbitrary code. The attacker would need to build a malicious website and persuade a targeted user to view it. This action could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user.
Microsoft has confirmed this vulnerability and released software updates.
Warning Indicators
The following products are affected:
Microsoft Office Outlook 2002 SP3 and prior
Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 SP3 and prior
Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 SP2 and prior
Microsoft Visio Viewer 2002
Microsoft Visio Viewer 2003
Microsoft Visio Viewer 2007 SP1 and SP2
Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 SP1
Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 SP1
Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 SP1 64-bit Hosted Visual C++ Tools
Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 SP1 and prior
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 SP1
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 and prior
Internet Explorer 5.01 SP4 and prior
Internet Explorer 6 SP2 and prior
Windows 2000 SP4 and prior
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
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
This vulnerability primarily concerns developers of components and controls because it is a vulnerability that is included in public libraries that are distributed in Microsoft Visual Studio. Developers of software that include Active Template Library code may have introduced this vulnerability into their software.
Developers are encouraged to contact the Microsoft Developer Network for more information on how to identify vulnerable code and take corrective action for their software.
To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker will need to lure a targeted user into visiting a malicious website. This action will typically require the use of social engineering tactics, such as sending a link to the site via e-mail, instant messaging, or other forms of communication.
The Cisco Applied Intelligence team has created an Applied Mitigation Bulletin to address vulnerabilities that Microsoft disclosed in the August 2009 security bulletin release. This Cisco bulletin, which assists administrators in identifying or mitigating these vulnerabilities using Cisco devices, is available at the following link: Cisco Applied Mitigation Bulletin: Microsoft Security Bulletin Release for August 2009
Attachmate has released technical notes at the following links: 2471 and 2446
F5 Networks has released a security advisory for registered users at the following link: SOL10441
HP has released a security bulletin c01997644 at the following link: HPSBMA02488 SSRT100013
IBM has released a security alert at the following link: CVE-2009-2493
OpenOffice.org has released a security advisory at the following link: CVE-2009-2493
Sun has released an alert notification at the following link: 264648
Sun has released a security notification at the following link: CVE-2009-2493
US-CERT has released a vulnerability note at the following link: VU#456745
Impact
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user. If the user holds administrative rights, this could result in a full system compromise.
Technical Information
The vulnerability exists in the OleLoadFromStream of the Visual Studio Active Template Library and could allow a web page to bypass security restrictions and instantiate a COM object even if it has the kill bit set for Internet Explorer. An unauthenticated, remote attacker could create a malicious web page designed to exploit this vulnerability. By luring a targeted user into visiting the website, the attacker could instantiate arbitrary COM objects, bypassing security controls built into Internet Explorer. Many COM objects have methods that are unsafe for use in Internet Explorer. One or more of these could be instantiated and leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user.
The Industry Consortium for the Advancement of Security on the Internet (ICASI) is collaborating with a third party to offer a scanning service to help developers identify potential vulnerabilities in their code. More information is available at the following link: ICASI
Safeguards
Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.
Users should verify that unsolicited links are safe to follow.
Administrators are advised to monitor affected systems.
Additional mitigations can be found in this document from Microsoft: 973882
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.
Adobe has released updated software at the following links:
Version 14, April 27, 2010, 1:00 PM: HP has released a security bulletin and updated software to address the Microsoft Visual Studio Active Template Library OleLoadFromStream remote object instantiation vulnerability.
Version 13, March 23, 2010, 8:39 AM: F5 Networks has released a security advisory and updated software to address the Microsoft Visual Studio Active Template Library OleLoadFromStream remote object instantiation vulnerability.
Version 12, February 12, 2010, 3:47 PM: OpenOffice.org has released a security advisory and updated software to address the Microsoft Active Template Library OleLoadFromStream remote object instantiation vulnerability in Microsoft Windows.
Version 11, December 8, 2009, 2:49 PM: Microsoft has released an additional advisory to address the Microsoft Active Template Library OleLoadFromStream remote object instantiation vulnerability in Microsoft Windows.
Version 10, November 5, 2009, 11:03 AM: Microsoft has re-released a security bulletin with corrected information that indicates Visio Viewer version 2007 is not affected unless SP1 or SP2 has been applied.
Version 9, October 13, 2009, 2:54 PM: Microsoft has released an additional security bulletin and software updates to address the Active Template Library OleLoadFromStream remote object instantiation vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook and the Visio Viewer.
Version 8, October 9, 2009, 4:19 PM: Attachmate has released technical notes and updated software to address the Active Template Library OleLoadFromStream remote object instantiation vulnerability in Microsoft Visual Studio.
Version 7, August 27, 2009, 1:06 PM: IBM has released a security alert to address the Microsoft Active Template Library OleLoadFromStream remote object instantiation vulnerability in Microsoft Windows.
Version 6, August 11, 2009, 3:16 PM: Microsoft has released a security bulletin and software updates to address the Microsoft Active Template Library OleLoadFromStream remote object instantiation vulnerability in Microsoft Windows.
Version 5, August 6, 2009, 3:15 PM: Sun has released an alert notification and updated software to address the Microsoft Visual Studio Active Template Library OleLoadFromStream remote object instantiation vulnerability.
Version 4, August 3, 2009, 2:10 PM: Adobe has re-released a security advisory and updated software to address the Microsoft Visual Studio Active Template Library OleLoadFromStream remote object instantiation vulnerability.
Version 3, July 31, 2009, 10:00 AM: Adobe has released an additional security advisory and updated software to address the Microsoft Visual Studio Active Template Library OleLoadFromStream remote object instantiation vulnerability.
Version 2, July 29, 2009, 5:10 PM: Adobe has released two security advisories and updated software to address the Microsoft Visual Studio Active Template Library OleLoadFromStream remote object instantiation vulnerability. Additional technical information is also available.
Version 1, July 28, 2009, 3:15 PM: The Microsoft Visual Studio Active Template Library contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass security restrictions and execute arbitrary code. Updates are available.
The security vulnerability applies to the following combinations of products.
Primary Products:
Microsoft, Inc.
Visual C++
2005 SP1 | 2008 Base, SP1
Microsoft, Inc.
Visual Studio
.NET 2003 SP1 | 2005 SP1 | 2008 Base, SP1
Associated Products:
Adobe
Acrobat Professional
9.0 .0 | 9.1 .0, .1, .2
Adobe
Acrobat Professional Extended
9.0 .0 | 9.1 .0, .1, .2
Adobe
Acrobat Reader
9.0 .0 | 9.1 .0, .1, .2
Adobe
Acrobat Standard
9.0 .0 | 9.1 .0, .1, .2
Adobe
Adobe Flash Player
10.0 .12.36 | 10.0.22.87 Base | 9.0.115.0 Base | 9.0.124.0 Base | 9.0.151.0 Base | 9.0.159.0 Base | 9.0.16.0 Base | 9.0.20.0 Base | 9.0.45.0 Base | 9.0.47.0 Base | 9.0.48.0 Base
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