Proof-of-concept code that demonstrates an exploit of the Microsoft Windows win32k Kernel driver message handling privilege escalation vulnerability is publicly available.
Description
Microsoft Windows contains a vulnerability that could allow an local attacker to gain elevated privileges.
The vulnerability is due to improper handling of window broadcast messages by the affected software. A local attacker could exploit the vulnerability by convincing a user to run a crafted application. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the elevated privileges of the Windows kernel.
Proof-of-concept code that demonstrates an exploit of this vulnerability is publicly available.
Microsoft confirmed the vulnerability in a security bulletin and released software updates.
Warning Indicators
The following Microsoft platforms are affected:
Windows Vista SP2
Windows Vista x64 Edition SP2
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems SP2
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems SP2
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems SP2
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems SP1 and prior
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems SP1 and prior
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems SP1 and prior
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems SP1 and prior
Windows 8 for 32-bit Systems
Windows 8 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server 2012
Windows RT
IntelliShield Analysis
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must have valid login credentials and log in locally to a targeted system. Because of these access requirements, an attacker may use further social engineering techniques to convince a user to run a malicious program to trigger this vulnerability.
Microsoft has corrected this vulnerability by modifying the way the Windows kernel-mode driver handles window broadcast messages.
The Cisco Applied Intelligence team has created an Applied Mitigation Bulletin to address vulnerabilities that Microsoft disclosed in the January 2013 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 January 2013
Vendor Announcements
Microsoft has released a security bulletin at the following link: MS13-005
Impact
A local attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the local system with the elevated privileges of the Windows kernel, possibly resulting in a complete system compromise.
Technical Information
The vulnerability is due to improper handling of window broadcast messages by the affected software.
A local attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to run a malicious program that is designed to send malicious input to the Windows kernel driver. The processing of the malicious input could cause errors that the attacker could use to execute arbitrary code on the vulnerable system with the elevated privileges of the Windows kernel.
Safeguards
Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.
Administrators are advised to allow only trusted users to access local systems.
Administrators may consider using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) scan tool to identify common security misconfigurations and missing security updates on system endpoints.
Administrators are advised to monitor affected 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 Microsoft Update service. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Systems Management Server, and System Center Configuration Manager can assist administrators in deploying software updates.
Alert History
Version 1 January 8, 2013, 1:13 PM: Microsoft Windows contains a vulnerability that could allow a local attacker to elevate privileges. Updates are available.
The security vulnerability applies to the following combinations of products.
Primary Products:
Microsoft, Inc.
Windows 7
for 32-bit systems SP1 | for x64-based systems Base, SP1
Microsoft, Inc.
Windows 8
for 32-bit systems Base | for x64-based systems Base
Microsoft, Inc.
Windows RT
Original Release Base
Microsoft, Inc.
Windows Server 2008
Datacenter Edition SP2 | Datacenter Edition, 64-bit SP2 | Enterprise Edition SP2 | Enterprise Edition, 64-bit SP2 | Essential Business Server Premium SP2 | Essential Business Server Premium, 64-bit SP2 | Essential Business Server Standard SP2 | Itanium-Based Systems Edition SP2 | Standard Edition SP2 | Standard Edition, 64-bit SP2 | Web Server SP2 | Web Server, 64-bit SP2
Microsoft, Inc.
Windows Server 2008 R2
Itanium-Based Systems Edition Base, SP1 | x64-Based Systems Edition Base, SP1
Microsoft, Inc.
Windows Server 2012
Original Release Base
Microsoft, Inc.
Windows Vista
Business SP2 | Business x64 Edition SP2 | Enterprise SP2 | Enterprise x64 Edition SP2 | Home Basic SP2 | Home Basic x64 Edition SP2 | Home Premium SP2 | Home Premium x64 Edition SP2 | Ultimate SP2 | Ultimate x64 Edition SP2
Associated Products:
N/A
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