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.
This vulnerability exists due to incorrect memory calculations performed after the processing of a PNG image. 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 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
An attacker cannot directly exploit this vulnerability and instead must rely upon user participation to successfully accomplish an exploit. The attacker must convince a user to view a malicious image file. Attackers may provide images to users as e-mail attachments, possibly embedded in another document type, or by posting images on public websites.
A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user. Systems that limit user privileges have a reduced risk of compromise in the event of an exploit, as an exploit would run in a restricted security context. However, on a system that grants users elevated privileges, the attacker could execute code to completely compromise the system.
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 available from Microsoft corrects this vulnerability by properly validating data before use in memory operations.
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 Administrator privileges, the attacker could execute code resulting in a complete system compromise.
Technical Information
This vulnerability exists due to incorrect memory calculations performed after the processing of a PNG image. An integer overflow may occur when the GDI+ component processes image data, resulting in an incorrect allocation of memory. An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to view a malicious image. The processing of a malicious image could trigger an error condition that results in memory corruption. An attacker could leverage the memory corruption to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user.
Safeguards
Administrators are advised to apply the available 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 2, October 29, 2009, 9:10 AM: Microsoft has re-released a security bulletin and updated software to address the Windows GDI+ PNG image processing integer overflow vulnerability. Microsoft has indicated that Microsoft Visio Viewer 2007 is also affected.
Version 1, October 13, 2009, 2:36 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:
Microsoft, Inc.
Visio Viewer
2007 Base
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