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HistoryJun 11, 2008 - 12:00 a.m.

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-033 – Critical Vulnerabilities in DirectX Could Allow Remote Code Execution (951698)

2008-06-1100:00:00
vulners.com
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Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-033 – Critical
Vulnerabilities in DirectX Could Allow Remote Code Execution (951698)
Published: June 10, 2008

Version: 1.0
General Information
Executive Summary

This security update resolves two privately reported vulnerabilities in Microsoft DirectX that could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted media file. An attacker who successfully exploited either of these vulnerabilities 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.

This security update is rated Critical for all supported editions of Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, of this section.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that DirectX handles MJPEG and SAMI format files. For more information about the vulnerabilities, 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 update immediately.

Known Issues. None
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Affected and Non-Affected Software

The following software 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 Component Maximum Security Impact Aggregate Severity Rating Bulletins Replaced by this Update
DirectX 7.0 and DirectX 8.1

Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4

DirectX 7.0

Remote Code Execution

Critical

MS07-064

Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4

DirectX 8.1

Remote Code Execution

Critical

MS07-064
DirectX 9.0

Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4

DirectX 9.0, DirectX 9.0b, or DirectX 9.0c

Remote Code Execution

Critical

MS07-064

Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3

DirectX 9.0, DirectX 9.0b, or DirectX 9.0c

Remote Code Execution

Critical

MS07-064

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2

DirectX 9.0, DirectX 9.0b, or DirectX 9.0c

Remote Code Execution

Critical

MS07-064

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2

DirectX 9.0, DirectX 9.0b, or DirectX 9.0c

Remote Code Execution

Critical

MS07-064

Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2

DirectX 9.0, DirectX 9.0b, or DirectX 9.0c

Remote Code Execution

Critical

MS07-064

Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems

DirectX 9.0, DirectX 9.0b, or DirectX 9.0c

Remote Code Execution

Critical

MS07-064
DirectX 10.0

Windows Vista

DirectX 10.0

Remote Code Execution

Critical

MS07-064

Windows Vista Service Pack 1

DirectX 10.0

Remote Code Execution

Critical

None

Windows Vista x64 Edition

DirectX 10.0

Remote Code Execution

Critical

MS07-064

Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1

DirectX 10.0

Remote Code Execution

Critical

None

Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems*

DirectX 10.0

Remote Code Execution

Critical

None

Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems*

DirectX 10.0

Remote Code Execution

Critical

None

Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems

DirectX 10.0

Remote Code Execution

Critical

None

*Supported editions of Windows Server 2008 are not affected if installed using the Server Core installation option. For more information on this installation option, see Server Core. Note that the Server Core installation option does not apply to certain editions of Windows Server 2008; see Compare Server Core Installation Options.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Where are the file information details?
The file information details can be found in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 951698.

How is this security update related to MS07-064?
This security update modifies the files included in MS07-064. This security update includes the fixes in MS07-064 and the fix for the vulnerabilities described in this update in a single update.

Why does this update address several reported security vulnerabilities?
This update contains support for several vulnerabilities because the modifications that are required to address these issues are located in related files. Instead of having to install several updates that are almost the same, customers need to install this update only.

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 Microsoft Support Lifecycle. For more information about the extended security update support period for these software versions or editions, visit Microsoft Product Support Services.

Customers who require custom support for older releases 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 Microsoft Worldwide Information, 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 MJPEG Decoder Vulnerability - CVE-2008-0011 SAMI Format Parsing Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1444 Aggregate Severity Rating

Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 with DirectX 7.0

Not affected

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Critical

Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 with DirectX 8.1

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Critical

Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 with DirectX 9.0, DirectX 9.0b, or DirectX 9.0c

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Not affected

Critical

Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Not affected

Critical

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Not affected

Critical

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Not affected

Critical

Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Not affected

Critical

Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Not affected

Critical

Windows Vista and Windows Vista Service Pack 1

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Not affected

Critical

Windows Vista x64 Edition and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Not affected

Critical

Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems*

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Not affected

Critical

Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems*

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Not affected

Critical

Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Not affected

Critical

*Supported editions of Windows Server 2008 are not affected if installed using the Server Core installation option. For more information on this installation option, see Server Core. Note that the Server Core installation option does not apply to certain editions of Windows Server 2008; see Compare Server Core Installation Options.
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MJPEG Decoder Vulnerability - CVE-2008-0011

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows MJPEG Codec handles MJPEG streams in AVI or ASF files. A user would have to preview or play a specially crafted MJPEG file for the vulnerability to be exploited.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2008-0011.

Mitigating Factors for MJPEG Decoder Vulnerability - CVE-2008-0011

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

In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a Web site that contains a Web page that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised Web sites and Web sites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these Web sites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link in an e-mail message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker’s Web site.

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.
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Workarounds for MJPEG Decoder Vulnerability - CVE-2008-0011

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:

Modify the Access Control List for quartz.dll

On Windows XP (all editions), run the following command from a command prompt (requires administrative privileges):

Echo y| Cacls.exe %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\QUARTZ.DLL /E /P everyone:N

On Windows Vista (all editions), run the following command from an elevated command prompt:

Takeown.exe /f %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\QUARTZ.DLL
Icacls.exe %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\QUARTZ.DLL /save %TEMP%\QUARTZ_ACL.TXT
Icacls.exe %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\QUARTZ.DLL /deny everyone:(F)

Impact of workaround: WAV and AVI files will fail to play in DirectX-enabled applications on Windows Vista. All files will fail to play in DirectX-enabled applications on Windows XP.

How to undo the workaround: On Windows XP (all editions), run the following command from a command prompt (requires administrative privileges):

Cacls.exe %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\QUARTZ.DLL /E /R everyone

On Windows Vista (all editions), run the following command from an elevated command prompt:

Icacls.exe %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\QUARTZ.DLL /grant everyone:(F)
Icacls.exe %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32 /restore %TEMP%\QUARTZ_ACL.TXT

Unregister the quartz.dll

Run the following command from an elevated command prompt:

Regsvr32.exe –u %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\QUARTZ.DLL

Impact of workaround: WAV and AVI files will fail to play in DirectX-enabled applications on Windows Vista. All files will fail to play in DirectX-enabled applications on Windows XP.

How to undo the workaround: Run the following command from an elevated command prompt:

Regsvr32.exe %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\QUARTZ.DLL

Disable the MJPEG Encoder

To modify the registry key to disable the MJPEG encoder, follow these steps:

Note Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or view the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe.

Click Start, click Run, type Regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.

Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\

Right click on {301056D0-6DFF-11D2-9EEB-006008039E37} and select Export. Save the file to disk.

Delete the entire {301056D0-6DFF-11D2-9EEB-006008039E37} key.

Quit the registry editor.

Impact of workaround: Users will not be able to play MJPEG files.

How to undo the workaround:

Click Start, click Run, type Regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.

On the File menu, click Import.

In Look in, select the drive, folder, or network computer and folder where the file you previously exported is located.

Select the correct file name and click Open.
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FAQ for MJPEG Decoder Vulnerability - CVE-2008-0011

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system remotely. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

What causes the vulnerability?
The vulnerability is caused by the way Windows performs error checking on MJPEG video streams embedded in ASF or AVI media files.

What is an MJPEG file?
An MJPEG file is a media file where a number of JPEG images are connected together to create a video stream. The MJPEG video stream can then be inserted into an AVI or other common video formatted file.

What are AVI and ASF files?
Audio Video Interleave (AVI) and Advanced Systems Format (ASF) files are two types of multimedia files commonly used by Windows Media Player.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
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.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
Exploitation of the vulnerability would require a user to open and view a media file with a specially crafted MJPEG file embedded in it.

In an e-mail attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending a media file with a specially crafted MJPEG file embedded in it to the user and by convincing the user to open the file.

In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker would have to host a Web site that contains specially crafted content that is used to attempt to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised Web sites and Web sites that accept or host user-provided content could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. An attacker would have no way to force users to visit a specially crafted Web site. Instead, an attacker would have to convince them to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link in an e-mail message or Instant Messenger message that takes them to the attacker's site.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
This vulnerability requires that a user is logged on and opens the specially crafted file. Workstations and terminal servers are primarily at risk. Servers could be at more risk if administrators allow users to log on to servers and to run programs. However, best practices strongly discourage allowing this.

What does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by increasing the validation that the parser performs on MJPEG video streams.

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.
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SAMI Format Parsing Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1444

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way DirectX handles supported format files. This vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user opened a specially crafted file.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2008-1444.

Mitigating Factors for SAMI Format Parsing Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1444

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 factors may be helpful in your situation:

In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a Web site that contains a Web page that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised Web sites and Web sites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these Web sites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link in an e-mail message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker’s Web site.

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.
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Workarounds for SAMI Format Parsing Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1444

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:

Modify the Access Control List for quartz.dll

On Windows XP (all editions), run the following command from a command prompt (requires administrative privileges):

Echo y| Cacls.exe %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\QUARTZ.DLL /E /P everyone:N

On Windows Vista (all editions), run the following command from an elevated command prompt:

Takeown.exe /f %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\QUARTZ.DLL
Icacls.exe %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\QUARTZ.DLL /save %TEMP%\QUARTZ_ACL.TXT
Icacls.exe %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\QUARTZ.DLL /deny everyone:(F)

Impact of workaround: WAV and AVI files will fail to play in DirectX-enabled applications on Windows XP.

How to undo the workaround: On Windows XP (all editions), run the following command from a command prompt:

Cacls.exe %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\QUARTZ.DLL /E /R everyone

On Windows Vista (all editions), run the following command from an elevated command prompt:

Icacls.exe %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\QUARTZ.DLL /grant everyone:(F)
Icacls.exe %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32 /restore %TEMP%\QUARTZ_ACL.TXT

Unregister the quartz.dll

Run the following command from an elevated command prompt:

Regsvr32.exe –u %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\QUARTZ.DLL

Impact of workaround: WAV and AVI files will fail to play in DirectX-enabled applications on Windows Vista.

How to undo the workaround: Run the following command from an elevated command prompt:

Regsvr32.exe %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\QUARTZ.DLL

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FAQ for SAMI Format Parsing Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1444

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system remotely. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

What causes the vulnerability?
DirectX does not perform sufficient parsing of the parameters of Synchronized Accessible Media Interchange (SAMI) file types.

What is SAMI?
Microsoft Synchronized Accessible Media Interchange (SAMI) is a media format that allows a content developer to include captions with digital media files. SAMI was designed and developed to caption the digital media widely available in PC systems. SAMI captions coexist with digital media as separate, simple text files. The captions can be easily modified, maintained, customized, and localized for different languages.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
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.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to convince a user to open a specially crafted SAMI file. Since the vulnerability is in the streaming component of Microsoft Windows, attacks can be launched from a specially crafted Web site or any application that delivers Web content. An attacker would have no way to force users to visit a specially crafted Web site. Instead, an attacker would have to convince them to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link in an e-mail message or Instant Messenger message that takes them to the attacker's site.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
This vulnerability requires that a user is logged on and opens the specially crafted file. Workstations and terminal servers are primarily at risk. Servers could be at more risk if administrators allow users to log on to servers and to run programs. However, best practices strongly discourage allowing this.

What does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by increasing the validation that the DirectX parser performs on supported file types.

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:

Mark Dowd, IBM Internet Security Systems X-Force researcher, for reporting the MJPEG Decoder Vulnerability (CVE-2008-0011)

An anonymous researcher, working with Tipping Point and the Zero Day Initiative, for reporting the Format Parsing Vulnerability (CVE-2008-1444)

Support

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.

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

V1.0 (June 10, 2008): Bulletin published.