Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-055 - Critical Vulnerability in Cinepak Codec Could Allow Remote Code Execution (982665)

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-055 - Critical
Vulnerability in Cinepak Codec Could Allow Remote Code Execution (982665)
Published: August 10, 2010

Version: 1.0
General Information
Executive Summary

This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Cinepak Codec. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted media file or receives specially crafted streaming content from a Web site or any application that delivers Web content. 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.

This security update is rated Critical for all supported editions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the manner in which the Cinepak code decompresses media files. 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. The majority of customers have automatic updating enabled and will not need to take any action because this security update will be downloaded and installed automatically. Customers who have not enabled automatic updating need to check for updates and install this update manually. For information about specific configuration options in automatic updating, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 294871.

For administrators and enterprise installations, or end users who want to install this security update manually, Microsoft recommends that customers apply the update immediately using update management software, or by checking for updates using the Microsoft Update service.

See also the section, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance, later in this bulletin.

Known Issues. Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 982665 documents the currently known issues that customers may experience when installing this security update. The article also documents recommended solutions for these issues.
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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 3

Remote Code Execution

Critical

None

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Remote Code Execution

Critical

None

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2

Remote Code Execution

Critical

None

Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Remote Code Execution

Critical

None

Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems

Remote Code Execution

Critical

None

Windows 7 for x64-based Systems

Remote Code Execution

Critical

None

Non-Affected Software
Operating System

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2

Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems

Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2

Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2

Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems

Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Where are the file information details?
Refer to the reference tables in the Security Update Deployment section for the location of the file information details.

How is the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Beta release affected by this vulnerability?
Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Beta is affected by the vulnerability described in this bulletin. Customers running this beta release are encouraged to download and apply the update to their systems. Security updates are available from Microsoft Update and Windows Update. The security update is also available for download from the Microsoft Download Center.

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. For more information about the product lifecycle, visit the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Web site.

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. To determine the support lifecycle for your software release, see Select a Product for Lifecycle Information. For more information about service packs for these software releases, see Lifecycle Supported Service Packs.

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 in the Contact Information list, 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 Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ.
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Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers

The following severity ratings assume the potential maximum impact of the vulnerability. For information regarding the likelihood, within 30 days of this security bulletin's release, of the exploitability of the vulnerability in relation to its severity rating and security impact, please see the Exploitability Index in the August bulletin summary. For more information, see Microsoft Exploitability Index.
Vulnerability Severity Rating and Maximum Security Impact by Affected Software
Affected Software Cinepak Codec Decompression Vulnerability - CVE-2010-2553 Aggregate Severity Rating

Windows XP Service Pack 3

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Critical

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Critical

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Critical

Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Critical

Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Critical

Windows 7 for x64-based Systems

Critical
Remote Code Execution

Critical
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Cinepak Codec Decompression Vulnerability - CVE-2010-2553

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

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2010-2553.

Mitigating Factors for Cinepak Codec Decompression Vulnerability - CVE-2010-2553

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 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.
•

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.
•

The vulnerability cannot be exploited automatically through e-mail. For an attack to be successful, a user must open an attachment that is sent in an e-mail message.
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Workarounds for Cinepak Codec Decompression Vulnerability - CVE-2010-2553

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 (ACL) on iccvid.dll

Modify the ACL on iccvid.dll to be more restrictive.

For 32-bit editions of Windows XP, run the following commands from a command prompt (requires administrative privileges):

cacls %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\iccvid.DLL /E /P everyone:N

For 64-bit editions of Windows XP, run the following commands from a command prompt (requires administrative privileges):

cacls %WINDIR%\SYSWOW64\iccvid.DLL /E /P everyone:N

For 32-bit editions of Windows Vista and Windows 7, run the following commands from an elevated command prompt:

takeown /f %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\ICCVID.DLL

icacls %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\ICCVID.DLL /save %TEMP%\ICCVID_ACL.TXT

icacls %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\ICCVID.DLL /deny everyone:(F)

For 64-bit editions of Windows Vista and Windows 7, run the following commands from an elevated command prompt:

takeown /f %WINDIR%\SYSWOW64\ICCVID.DLL

icacls %WINDIR%\SYSWOW64\ICCVID.DLL /save %TEMP%\ICCVID_ACL.TXT

icacls %WINDIR%\SYSWOW64\ICCVID.DLL /deny everyone:(F)

Impact of workaround. Media files encoded using the Cinepak codec will fail to play in multimedia.

How to undo the workaround.

For 32-bit editions of Windows XP, run the following commands from a command prompt (requires administrative privileges):

cacls %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\iccvid.dll /E /R everyone

For 64-bit editions of Windows XP, run the following commands from a command prompt (requires administrative privileges):

cacls %WINDIR%\SYSWOW64\iccvid.dll /E /R everyone

For 32-bit editions of Windows Vista and Windows 7, run the following commands from an elevated command prompt:

icacls %windir%\system32 /restore %TEMP%\ICCVID_ACL.TXT

For 64-bit editions of Windows Vista and Windows 7, run the following commands from an elevated command prompt:

icacls %windir%\syswow64 /restore %TEMP%\ICCVID_ACL.TXT
•

Disable the parsing of Cinepac encoded files in DirectShow

Disable the parsing of media files encoded with the Cinepac codec within DirectShow.

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.

Using the Interactive Method

For 32-bit Windows systems:

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

Locate the following subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Drivers32

On the File menu, click Export.

In the Export Registry File dialog box, enter Drivers32_Backup.reg and click Save.

Note This will create a backup of this registry key in the My Documents folder by default.

Locate and select the string value with vidc.cvid as Name and iccvid.dll as Data.

Press the Delete key on the keyboard to delete the registry key. When prompted to delete the registry key via the Confirm Key Delete dialog box, click Yes.

For 64-bit Windows systems:

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

Locate the following subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Drivers32

On the File menu, click Export.

In the Export Registry File dialog box, enter Drivers32_Backup.reg and click Save.

Note This will create a backup of this registry key in the My Documents folder by default.

Locate and select the string value with vidc.cvid as Name and iccvid.dll as Data.

Press the Delete key on the keyboard to delete the registry key. When prompted to delete the registry key via the Confirm Key Delete dialog box, click Yes.

Using a Managed Deployment Script

Create a backup copy of the registry keys by using a managed deployment script that contains the following commands:

For 32-bit Windows systems:

Regedit.exe /e Drivers32_Backup.reg "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Drivers32"

For 64-bit Windows Systems:

Regedit.exe /e Drivers32_Backup.reg "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Drivers32"

Next, save the following to a file with a .REG extension, such as Disable_Cinepak_Parser.reg:

For 32-bit Windows systems:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Drivers32]

"vidc.cvid"=-

For 64-bit Windows Systems:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Drivers32]

"vidc.cvid"=-

Run the above registry script on the target machine with the following command from an elevated command prompt:

Regedit.exe /s Disable_Cinepak_Parser.reg

Impact of workaround. MPEG Layer-3 Parsing is disabled in applications that use DirectShow to play MPEG Layer-3 content.

How to undo the workaround.

Using the Interactive Method

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

Click the File menu and select Import.

In the Import Registry File dialog box, select Drivers32_Backup.reg and click Open.

Using a Managed Deployment Script

Restore the original state by running the following command:

Regedit.exe /s Drivers32_Backup.reg
•

Unregister quartz.dll

To unregister this DLL, run the following command from an elevated command prompt.

For 32-bit Windows:

Regsvr32.exe –u %WINDIR%\system32\quartz.dll

For 64-bit Windows:

Regsvr32.exe –u %WINDIR%\system32\quartz.dll

Regsvr32.exe –u %WINDIR%\syswow64\quartz.dll

Impact of workaround. Windows Media Player will not be able to play .AVI or .WAV files.

How to undo the workaround.

Run the following command from an elevated command prompt.

For 32-bit Windows:

Regsvr32.exe %WINDIR%\system32\quartz.dll

For 64-bit Windows:

Regsvr32.exe %WINDIR%\system32\quartz.dll

Regsvr32.exe %WINDIR%\syswow64\quartz.dll
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FAQ for Cinepak Codec Decompression Vulnerability - CVE-2010-2553

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code with elevated privileges on vulnerable systems. An attacker could then install programs or view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

What causes the vulnerability?
The Cinepak codec included in Microsoft Windows does not properly handle specially crafted media files.

What is the Cinepak codec?
The Cinepak codec is a media encoder and decoder supported by the Windows Media Player. This codec allows bitstream encoding and decoding for media files. Cinepak uses vector quantization-based image compression and frame differencing.

What is a codec?
A codec is software that is used to compress or decompress a digital media file, such as a song or video. Windows Media Player and other programs use codecs to play and create digital media files.

A codec can consist of two components: an encoder and a decoder. The encoder performs the compression (encoding) function and the decoder performs the decompression (decoding) function. Some codecs include both of these components and some codecs only include one of them.

For example, when you transfer a song from an audio CD to your computer, the Windows Media Player uses the Windows Media Audio codec by default to compress the song into a compact WMA file. When you play that WMA file (or any WMA file that might be streamed from a Web site), the Player uses the Windows Media Audio codec to decompress the file so the music can be played through your speakers.

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?
This vulnerability requires that a user open a specially crafted media file or receive specially crafted streaming content from a Web site or any application that delivers Web content.

In an e-mail attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending a media file with a specially crafted AVI 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?
Workstations are primarily at risk from this vulnerability.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the issue by correcting the manner in which the Cinepak codec decompresses media files.

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

Other Information
Acknowledgments

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

An anonymous researcher, working with Tipping Point's Zero Day Initiative, for reporting the Cinepak Codec Decompression Vulnerability (CVE-2010-2553)
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Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP)

To improve security protections for customers, Microsoft provides vulnerability information to major security software providers in advance of each monthly security update release. Security software providers can then use this vulnerability information to provide updated protections to customers via their security software or devices, such as antivirus, network-based intrusion detection systems, or host-based intrusion prevention systems. To determine whether active protections are available from security software providers, please visit the active protections Web sites provided by program partners, listed in Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP) Partners.

Support
•

Customers in the U.S. and Canada can receive technical support from Security Support or 1-866-PCSAFETY. There is no charge for support calls that are associated with security updates. For more information about available support options, see Microsoft Help and Support.
•

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 10, 2010): Bulletin published.