SecurityvulnsSECURITYVULNS:DOC:20714Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-064 – Important Vulnerability in Virtual Address Descriptor Manipulation Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (956841)
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-064 – Important
Vulnerability in Virtual Address Descriptor Manipulation Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (956841)
Published: October 14, 2008
Version: 1.0
General Information
Executive Summary
This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Virtual Address Descriptor. The vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege if a user runs a specially crafted application. An authenticated attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain elevation of privilege on an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full administrative rights.
This security update is rated Important for all supported editions of Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.
The security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that Virtual Address Descriptor handles memory allocation variables. 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 update at the earliest opportunity.
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 Maximum Security Impact Aggregate Severity Rating Bulletins Replaced by this Update
Windows XP Service Pack 2
Elevation of Privilege
Important
MS07-022
Windows XP Service Pack 3
Elevation of Privilege
Important
None
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Microsoft Security Advisory (932596)
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Elevation of Privilege
Important
MS07-022
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Microsoft Security Advisory (932596)
Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems
Elevation of Privilege
Important
None
Windows Vista
Elevation of Privilege
Important
MS07-066
Windows Vista Service Pack 1
Elevation of Privilege
Important
None
Windows Vista x64 Edition
Elevation of Privilege
Important
MS07-066
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1
Elevation of Privilege
Important
None
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems*
Elevation of Privilege
Important
None
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems*
Elevation of Privilege
Important
None
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems
Elevation of Privilege
Important
None
*Windows Server 2008 server core installation affected. For supported editions of Windows Server 2008, this update applies, with the same severity rating, whether or not Windows Server 2008 was 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.
Non-Affected Software
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
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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 956841.
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 Virtual Address Descriptor Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability - CVE-2008-4036 Aggregate Severity Rating
Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Windows Vista and Windows Vista Service Pack 1
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Windows Vista x64 Edition and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems*
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems*
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems
Important
Elevation of Privilege
Important
*Windows Server 2008 server core installation affected. For supported editions of Windows Server 2008, this update applies, with the same severity rating, whether or not Windows Server 2008 was 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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Virtual Address Descriptor Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability - CVE-2008-4036
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that Memory Manager handles memory allocation and Virtual Address Descriptors (VADs). The vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege if an authenticated attacker runs a specially crafted program on an affected system. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain elevation of privilege on an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full administrative rights.
To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2008-4036.
Mitigating Factors for Virtual Address Descriptor Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability - CVE-2008-4036
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:
•
An attacker must be authenticated in order to exploit this vulnerability.
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Workarounds for Virtual Address Descriptor Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability - CVE-2008-4036
Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.
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FAQ for Virtual Address Descriptor Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability - CVE-2008-4036
What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is an elevation of privilege vulnerability. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain elevation of privilege on an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full administrative rights.
What causes the vulnerability?
Memory manager does not correctly handle an integer overflow when decrementing a variable, which causes a memory allocation mapping error.
What is Virtual Address Descriptor?
VAD is a form of virtual memory to applications that allows each application to have its own private address space. For more information on VAD see MSDN articles Virtual-memory Manager in Windows NT and Managing Virtual memory in Win32.
What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain elevation of privilege on an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full administrative rights.
How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An authenticated attacker could run a specially crafted program which could cause an integer overflow, thus corrupting memory in such a way as to allow code execution.
What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008 are at risk from this vulnerability.
What does the update do?
The vulnerability was caused by an integer overflow. The update removes the vulnerability by adding additional validation around VAD parameters.
When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through responsible disclosure. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly disclosed when this security bulletin was originally issued.
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
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 (October 14, 2008): Bulletin published.
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