Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-046 - Critical Vulnerability in GDI Could Allow Remote Code Execution (938829)

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-046 - Critical
Vulnerability in GDI Could Allow Remote Code Execution (938829)
Published: August 14, 2007

Version: 1.0
General Information
Executive Summary

This critical security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability. A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the Graphics Rendering Engine in the way that it handles specially crafted images. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted image that could potentially allow remote code execution if a user opened a specially crafted attachment in e-mail. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system.

This is a critical security update for all supported editions of Windows except Windows 2003 Server Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

This security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that the Graphics Rendering Engine handles images. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection for the specific vulnerability entry under the next section, Vulnerability Information.

Recommendation: Microsoft recommends that customers apply the security update immediately.

Known Issues: None.
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Affected and Non-Affected Software

The software listed here have been tested to determine which versions or editions are affected. Other versions or editions are either past their support life cycle or are not affected. To determine the support life cycle for your software version or edition, visit Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

Affected Software
Operating System Maximum Security Impact Aggregate Severity Rating Bulletins Replaced by This Update

Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4

Remote Code Execution

Critical

MS06-001

Windows XP Service Pack 2

Remote Code Execution

Critical

MS06-001

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

Remote Code Execution

Critical

MS06-001

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1

Remote Code Execution

Critical

MS06-001

Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition

Remote Code Execution

Critical

MS06-001

Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems

Remote Code Execution

Critical

MS06-001

Non-Affected Software
Operating System

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2

Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems

Windows Vista

Windows Vista x64 Edition
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

I am using an older release of the software discussed in this security bulletin. What should I do?
The affected software listed in this bulletin have been tested to determine which releases are affected. Other releases are past their support life cycle. To determine the support life cycle for your software release, visit Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

It should be a priority for customers who have older releases of the software to migrate to supported releases to prevent potential exposure to vulnerabilities. For more information about the Windows Product Lifecycle, visit the following Microsoft Support Lifecycle. For more information about the extended security update support period for these software releases, visit the Microsoft Product Support Services Web site.

Customers who require custom support for older software must contact their Microsoft account team representative, their Technical Account Manager, or the appropriate Microsoft partner representative for custom support options. Customers without an Alliance, Premier, or Authorized Contract can contact their local Microsoft sales office. For contact information, visit the Microsoft Worldwide Information Web site, select the country, and then click Go to see a list of telephone numbers. When you call, ask to speak with the local Premier Support sales manager. For more information, see the Windows Operating System Product Support Lifecycle FAQ.
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Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers
Vulnerability Severity Rating and Maximum Security Impact by Affected Software
Affected Software Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in GDI – CVE-2007-3034 Aggregate Severity Rating

Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Critical

Windows XP Service Pack 2

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Critical

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Critical

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Critical

Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Critical

Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Critical
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Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in GDI– CVE-2007-3034

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the Graphics Rendering Engine because of the way that it handles specially crafted images. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted image that could potentially allow remote code execution if a user opened a specially crafted attachment in e-mail.

An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2007-3034.

Mitigating Factors for Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in GDI– CVE-2007-3034

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability. The following mitigating factor may be helpful in your situation:
•

An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
•

Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows Server 2003 Service pack 2 are unaffected by this issue.
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Workarounds for Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in GDI– CVE-2007-3034

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.
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FAQ for Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in GDI– CVE-2007-3034

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability. If a user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

What causes the vulnerability
The vulnerability exists in the way that the Graphics Rendering Engine handles specially crafted images, potentially allowing arbitrary code to be executed.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run code on the affected system.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by creating a specially crafted attachment in e-mail and then persuading the user to open the attachment. If the user opened the attachment, the attacker could cause arbitrary code to run in the security context of the locally logged-on user.

What is GDI?
Microsoft Windows graphics device interface (GDI) enables applications to use graphics and formatted text on both the video display and the printer. Windows-based applications do not access the graphics hardware directly. Instead, GDI interacts with device drivers on behalf of applications. For more information on GDI, please visit the Windows GDI Start Page.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Workstations and terminal servers are primarily at risk.

What does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by adding overflow validations to the handling of images.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through responsible disclosure.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers and had not seen any examples of proof of concept code published when this security bulletin was originally issued.

Other Information
Acknowledgments

Microsoft thanks the following for working with us to help protect customers:
•

eEye Digital Security for reporting the Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in GDI– CVE-2007-3034.

Support
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Customers in the U.S. and Canada can receive technical support from Microsoft Product Support Services at 1-866-PCSAFETY. There is no charge for support calls that are associated with security updates.
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International customers can receive support from their local Microsoft subsidiaries. There is no charge for support that is associated with security updates. For more information about how to contact Microsoft for support issues, visit the International Support Web site.

Disclaimer

The information provided in the Microsoft Knowledge Base is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Microsoft disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.

Revisions
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V1.0 (August 14, 2007): Bulletin published.