Microsoft Windows Movie Maker contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code. Updates are available.
Description
Microsoft Windows Movie Maker version 2.6 contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code.
The vulnerability is due to insecure library loading by the Windows Movie Maker application. An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to view a malicious document. If successful, the attacker could execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user.
Microsoft confirmed this vulnerability in a security bulletin and released software updates.
Warning Indicators
Microsoft Windows Movie Maker version 2.6 is vulnerable on the following Windows systems:
Windows SP2 and prior
Windows Vista x64 Edition SP2 and prior
IntelliShield Analysis
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must convince a user to view a malicious file that is located on a remote file share or WebDAV folder. The attacker may send links to the user in e-mail or instant messages that direct the user to the file. If successful, the attacker could execute code with the privileges of the user.
Microsoft has released a security advisory that explains insecure library loading vulnerabilities at the following link: 2269637. The .dll preloading behavior has been documented in IntelliShield Alert 21215. This vulnerability is also similar to the vulnerability documented in IntelliShield Alert 21244.
The Cisco Applied Intelligence team has created an Applied Mitigation Bulletin to address vulnerabilities that Microsoft disclosed in the December 2010 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 December 2010
Vendor Announcements
Microsoft has released a security bulletin at the following link: MS10-093
Impact
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of a targeted user. If that user holds elevated privileges, the attacker could execute code that results in a complete system compromise.
Technical Information
The vulnerability is due to insecure library loading by the Windows Movie Maker application. When opening a Movie Maker project .mswmm file, the application searches the file location for libraries and loads them without validation.
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to view a file from a directory that contains malicious libraries. When opened, the file could cause the application to load the malicious libraries and execute arbitrary code on the system with the privileges of the user.
Safeguards
Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate software updates.
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 unsolicited e-mail attachments. Users should verify that attachments are safe before opening them.
Administrators may consider using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) scan tool to identify common security misconfigurations and missing security updates on system endpoints.
Microsoft has released a a tool that could allows users to modify the insecure library loading behavior at the following link: 2264107
Administrators are advised to monitor critical systems.
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
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