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.
Description
Multiple Microsoft products contain a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code.
The vulnerability is due to memory allocation errors when processing TIFF images. An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to view a malicious file. If the user views the file, 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
The following Microsoft products are affected:
Internet Explorer 6 SP1 on Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 and prior
Office XP SP3 and prior
Office 2003 SP3 and prior
Office 2007 SP2 and prior
Office Groove 2007 SP1 and prior
Office Project 2002 SP1 and prior
Office Excel Viewer 2003 SP3 and prior
Office Excel Viewer 2007
Office Word Viewer 2003 SP3 and prior
Office Word Viewer 2007
Office PowerPoint Viewer 2007 SP1 and prior
Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats SP2 and prior
Visio 2002 SP2 and prior
Visio Viewer 2007 SP1 and SP2
Expression Web 2
Works 8.5
Report Viewer 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package
Report Viewer 2008 Redistributable Package SP1 and prior
Forefront Client Security 1.0 on Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4
SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services SP2
SQL Server 2005 SP3
SQL Server 2005 x64 Edition SP3
SQL Server 2005 for Itanium-based Systems SP3
Windows XP SP3 and prior
IntelliShield Analysis
Attackers cannot directly exploit this vulnerability and instead rely on user interaction to accomplish an exploit. The attacker must convince a user to accept and open a provided image file, possibly contained in an e-mail message, Microsoft Office document, or website. The attacker may use social engineering techniques to make users more likely to open the image.
An exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system with the privileges of the user. Systems on which users hold restricted privileges may have a reduced impact because any code executed on the system would run with only limited privileges, preventing system compromise.
Cisco has re-released the Applied Mitigation Bulletin that addresses the Microsoft Security Bulletin Release for October 2009. This update reports intrusion prevention system activity that is related to the Microsoft Windows GDI+ TIFF Image processing buffer overflow vulnerability. The data, which was captured on October 28, 2009, could indicate that the vulnerability is not showing signs of being exploited in the wild..
The Cisco Applied Intelligence team has created an Applied Mitigation Bulletin to address vulnerabilities that Microsoft disclosed in the October 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 October 2009
The update from Microsoft corrects this vulnerability by improving memory buffer allocation.
Vendor Announcements
Microsoft has re-released a security bulletin at the following link: MS09-062
Impact
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user. If that user holds privileges equivalent to the Administrator account, the attacker could take complete control over the system.
Technical Information
The vulnerability is due to insufficient boundary checks when the affected products process TIFF images, leading to a heap-based buffer overflow. The GDI+ component fails to properly restrict the length of input in the BitsPerSample tag in processed images before using that input in memory operations.
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to view a malicious TIFF file that contains crafted values for the BitsPerSample tag. When opened, this image could trigger a heap-based buffer overflow, corrupting memory. The attacker could use the memory corruption to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user.
Safeguards
Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate software updates.
Administrators may consider restricting access to the gdiplus.dll component.
Administrators may consider unregistering the vgx.dll library.
Users are advised not to visit websites or follow links that have suspicious characteristics or cannot be verified as safe.
Users are advised not to open media files from suspicious or unrecognized sources. If users cannot verify that media files are safe, they are advised not to open them.
Users are advised to run applications with the least necessary privileges.
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.
Signatures
Cisco Systems Cisco Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) 6.0
Version 6, October 29, 2009, 9:05 AM: Microsoft has re-released a security bulletin with updated software to address the Windows GDI+ TIFF image processing buffer overflow vulnerability. Microsoft has also indicated than an additional product is affected.
Version 5, October 28, 2009, 11:12 AM: Cisco has re-released the Applied Mitigation Bulletin that addresses the Microsoft Security Bulletin Release for October 2009. This update reports a decline in the intrusion prevention system activity that is related to the Microsoft Windows GDI+ TIFF image processing buffer overflow vulnerability.
Version 4, October 21, 2009, 10:50 AM: Cisco has re-released the Applied Mitigation Bulletin that addresses the Microsoft Security Bulletin Release for October 2009. This update reports intrusion prevention system activity that is related to the Microsoft Windows GDI+ TIFF image processing buffer overflow vulnerability.
Version 3, October 16, 2009, 12:29 PM: Cisco has re-released the Applied Mitigation Bulletin that addresses the Microsoft Security Bulletin Release for October 2009. This update reports intrusion prevention system activity that is related to the Microsoft Windows GDI+ TIFF image processing buffer overflow vulnerability.
Version 2, October 15, 2009, 10:48 AM: Additional technical information to describe the Microsoft Windows GDI+ TIFF image processing buffer overflow vulnerability is available.
Version 1, October 13, 2009, 2:47 PM: Multiple Microsoft products contain a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user. Updates are available.
Advanced Server Base, SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4 | Professional Base, SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4 | Server Base, SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4
Microsoft, Inc.
Windows XP
Home Edition Base, SP1, SP2, SP3 | Professional Edition Base, SP1, SP2, SP3
Microsoft, Inc.
Word Viewer
2007 Base
Associated Products:
N/A
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