Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-082 - Important Vulnerability in Windows Media Player Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2378111)

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-082 - Important
Vulnerability in Windows Media Player Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2378111)
Published: October 12, 2010

Version: 1.0
General Information
Executive Summary

This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Windows Media Player. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if Windows Media Player opened specially crafted media content hosted on a malicious 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.

This security update is rated Important for Windows Media Player 9 Series, Windows Media Player 10, Windows Media Player 11, and Windows Media Player 12 when installed on supported releases of Microsoft Windows except for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2. For Windows Media Player 11 and Windows Media Player 12 when installed on supported editions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2, this security update is rated Moderate. All supported Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 are not affected by the vulnerability. 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 Windows Media Player deallocates objects during a reload operation. 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 at the earliest opportunity 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. 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

Windows XP Service Pack 3

Windows Media Player 9 Series

Remote Code Execution

Important

MS10-027

Windows XP Service Pack 3

Windows Media Player 10

Windows Media Player 11

Remote Code Execution

Important

None

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Windows Media Player 10

Windows Media Player 11

Remote Code Execution

Important

None

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2

Windows Media Player 10

Remote Code Execution

Important

None

Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Windows Media Player 10

Remote Code Execution

Important

None

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2

Windows Media Player 11

Remote Code Execution

Important

None

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

Windows Media Player 11

Remote Code Execution

Important

None

Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems and Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2

Windows Media Player 11**

Remote Code Execution

Moderate

None

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

Windows Media Player 11**

Remote Code Execution

Moderate

None

Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems

Windows Media Player 12

Remote Code Execution

Important

None

Windows 7 for x64-based Systems

Windows Media Player 12

Remote Code Execution

Important

None

Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems

Windows Media Player 12**

Remote Code Execution

Moderate

None

**Server Core installation not affected. The vulnerabilities addressed by this update do not affect supported editions of Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 as indicated, when installed using the Server Core installation option. For more information on this installation option, see the TechNet articles, Managing a Server Core Installation and Servicing a Server Core Installation. Note that the Server Core installation option does not apply to certain editions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2; see Compare Server Core Installation Options.

Non-Affected Software
Operating System Component

Windows XP Service Pack 3

Windows Media Player 6.4

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Windows Media Player 6.4

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2

Windows Media Player 6.4

Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Windows Media Player 6.4

Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems

Not applicable

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

Not applicable

Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems

Not applicable
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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.

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 October bulletin summary. For more information, see Microsoft Exploitability Index.
Vulnerability Severity Rating and Maximum Security Impact by Affected Software
Affected Software Windows Media Player Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2010-2745 Aggregate Severity Rating
Windows Media Player 9

Windows Media Player 9 on Windows XP Service Pack 3

Important
Remote Code Execution

Important
Windows Media Player 10

Windows Media Player 10 on Windows XP Service Pack 3

Important
Remote Code Execution

Important

Windows Media Player 10 on Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Important
Remote Code Execution

Important

Windows Media Player 10 on Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2

Important
Remote Code Execution

Important

Windows Media Player 10 on Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Important
Remote Code Execution

Important
Windows Media Player 11

Windows Media Player 11 on Windows XP Service Pack 3

Important
Remote Code Execution

Important

Windows Media Player 11 on Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Important
Remote Code Execution

Important

Windows Media Player 11 on Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2

Important
Remote Code Execution

Important

Windows Media Player 11 on Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2

Important
Remote Code Execution

Important

Windows Media Player 11 on Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems and Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2**

Moderate
Remote Code Execution

Moderate

Windows Media Player 11 on Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2**

Moderate
Remote Code Execution

Moderate
Windows Media Player 12

Windows Media Player 12 on Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems

Important
Remote Code Execution

Important

Windows Media Player 12 on Windows 7 for x64-based Systems

Important
Remote Code Execution

Important

Windows Media Player 12 on Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems**

Moderate
Remote Code Execution

Moderate

**Server Core installation not affected. The vulnerabilities addressed by this update do not affect supported editions of Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 as indicated, when installed using the Server Core installation option. For more information on this installation option, see the TechNet articles, Managing a Server Core Installation and Servicing a Server Core Installation. Note that the Server Core installation option does not apply to certain editions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2; see Compare Server Core Installation Options.
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Windows Media Player Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2010-2745

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Media Player deallocates objects during a reload operation via a Web browser. This vulnerability could allow code execution if a user visits a specially crafted Web page. 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-2010-2745.

Mitigating Factors for Windows Media Player Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2010-2745

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.
•

Supported editions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 are not affected by this issue unless the Desktop Experience feature is installed. By default, these platforms do not load the affected Windows Media Player component. For more information on the Desktop Experience feature, see the TechNet article, Desktop Experience Overview.
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Workarounds for Windows Media Player Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2010-2745

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:
•

Unregister wmp.dll

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

For 32-bit Windows:

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

For 64-bit Windows:

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

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

Impact of workaround. Windows Media Player will not be able to play supported file formats.

How to undo the workaround.

Run the following command from an elevated command prompt.

For 32-bit Windows:

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

For 64-bit Windows:

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

Regsvr32.exe %WINDIR%\syswow64\wmp.dll
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FAQ for Windows Media Player Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2010-2745

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 Windows Media Player improperly deallocates objects during a reload operation via a Web browser.

What is Windows Media Player?
Windows Media Player is a feature of the Windows operating system for personal computers. It is used for playing audio and video.

How do I determine which version of Windows Media Player is installed on my system?
For instructions on how to determine the version of Windows Media Player that is installed on a system, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 190990.

Is user interaction required for this vulnerability to be exploited?
Yes. In order for an attack to be successful, a user must click through one or more pop-up dialogs when browsing to a Web page. This vulnerability cannot be exploited automatically when visiting a specially crafted Web page.

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?
An attacker could host a specially crafted Web site that is designed to exploit this vulnerability through Windows Media Player and then convince a user to view the Web site. The user would also need to click through one or more pop-up dialog boxes for the exploit to be successful. 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 and terminal servers are primarily at risk. Servers could be at more risk if users who should not have sufficient administrative permissions are given the ability to log on to servers and to run programs. However, best practices strongly discourage allowing this.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the issue by correcting the manner in which Windows Media Player deallocates objects during a reload operation.

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:
•

SkyLined of Google Inc. for reporting the Windows Media Player Memory Corruption Vulnerability (CVE-2010-2745)
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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
•

V1.0 (October 12, 2010): Bulletin published.