Microsoft Windows Active Template Library contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code. Updates are available.
Description
Microsoft Windows Active Template Library contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code.
The vulnerability exists due to failures when checking input processed by Active Template Library (ATL). An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to visit a malicious website. If the user views the site, the attacker could execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user.
Microsoft has confirmed this vulnerability in a security bulletin and released software updates that correct it.
Warning Indicators
Multiple components of the following Microsoft systems are vulnerable:
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
Attackers cannot directly exploit this vulnerability and instead rely upon user participation in order to accomplish an exploit. The attacker may attempt to convince users to view a malicious website by providing links to users or by posting malicious content on public websites. Attackers may also attempt to compromise websites in order to embed malicious content and exploit any users visiting those sites.
Because the vulnerability exists in the Microsoft ATL rather than the ATL included with Visual Studio, the exposure of this vulnerability may be reduced. Applications are much more likely to use the Visual Studio ATL, making identification and targeting of an application affected by this vulnerability more difficult.
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
The update available from Microsoft corrects this vulnerability by ensuring function calls accept only checked data.
Vendor Announcements
Microsoft has released a security bulletin at the following link: MS09-037
Impact
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user. If that user holds Administrator privileges, the attacker could execute code resulting in a complete system compromise.
Technical Information
The vulnerability exists within the Microsoft Active Template Library. Any application relying upon the library may be leveraged to exploit the vulnerability, including ActiveX controls that may be instantiated within Internet Explorer.
The vulnerability exists due to failures in checking input processed by the Load method of the IPersistStreamInit Active Template Library (ATL) interface. The Load method may call the memcpy function and pass the function unchecked data. The processing of malicious data could result in memory corruption.
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to view a website designed to pass malicious input to an application relying upon the ATL. The processing of malicious input could cause memory corruption that the attacker could leverage to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user.
Safeguards
Administrators are advised to apply the applicable software updates.
Users should verify that unsolicited links are safe to follow.
Administrators are advised to use an unprivileged account for routine activities.
Additional safeguards are available in Microsoft Security Advisory 973882.
Administrators may consider using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) scan tool to identify common security misconfigurations and missing security updates on system endpoints.
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.
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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