__________________________________________________________

The U.S. Department of Energy
Computer Incident Advisory Capability
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INFORMATION BULLETIN

Vulnerability in Vector Markup Language
[MS06-055 (925486)]

September 26, 2006 20:00 GMT Number Q-326
[REVISED 6 Oct 2006]
______________________________________________________________________________
PROBLEM: A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the Vector
Markup Language (VML) implementation in Microsoft Windows.
PLATFORM: Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1
Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Service Pack 1
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems and
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition
DAMAGE: An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a
specially crafted Web page or HTML e-mail that could
potentially allow remote code execution if a user visited the
Web page or viewed the message. An attacker who successfully
exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an
affected system.
SOLUTION: Apply current patches.
______________________________________________________________________________
VULNERABILITY The risk is HIGH. An attacker who successfully exploited this
ASSESSMENT: vulnerability could take complete control of an affected
system.
______________________________________________________________________________
LINKS:
CIAC BULLETIN: http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/q-326.shtml
ORIGINAL BULLETIN: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS06-055.mspx
CVE: http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-4868
______________________________________________________________________________
REVISION HISTORY:
10/06/2006 - revised to reflect the changes Microsoft has made in MS06-055
where they updated: "Affected Components" updated to specifically
call out Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4; guidance has been
provided for the "Modify the Access Control List on VGX.DLL to be
more restrictive"; and instructions have been provided for customers
wishing to revert to the default installed ACL configuration for
vgx.dll.

[***** Start MS06-055 (925486) *****]

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-055
Vulnerability in Vector Markup Language Could Allow Remote Code Execution (925486)
Published: September 26, 2006 | Updated: October 5, 2006

Version: 1.1
Summary

Who Should Read this Document: Customers who use Microsoft Windows

Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution

Maximum Severity Rating: Critical

Recommendation: Customers should apply the update immediately

Security Update Replacement: This bulletin replaces a prior security update. See the frequently asked questions (FAQ) section of this bulletin for the complete list.

Caveats: None

Tested Software and Security Update Download Locations:

Affected Software:
•

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 — Download the update
•

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 — Download the update
•

Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition — Download the update
•

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 — Download the update
•

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems — Download the update
•

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition — Download the update

Tested Microsoft Windows Components:

Affected Components:
•

Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 4 on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 — Download the update
•

Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 — Download the update

The software in this list has been tested to determine whether the versions are affected. Other versions either no longer include security update support or may not be affected. To determine the support life cycle for your product and version, visit the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Web site.

Note The security updates for Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition also apply to Windows Server 2003 R2.
Top of sectionTop of section
General Information

Executive Summary

Executive Summary:

This update resolves a public vulnerability as well as additional issues discovered through internal investigations. The vulnerability is documented in the "Vulnerability Details" section of this bulletin.

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.

We recommend that customers apply the update immediately.

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers:
Vulnerability Identifiers Impact of Vulnerability Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 Windows XP Service Pack 1 Windows XP Service Pack 2 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1

VML Buffer Overrun Vulnerability - CVE-2006-4868

Remote Code Execution

Critical

Moderate

This assessment is based on the types of systems that are affected by the vulnerability, their typical deployment patterns, and the effect that exploiting the vulnerability would have on them.

Note By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. See the FAQ section for this security update for more information about Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration.

Note The severity ratings for non-x86 operating system versions map to the x86 operating systems versions as follows:
•

The Windows XP Professional x64 Edition severity rating is the same as the Windows Server XP Service Pack 2.
•

The Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems severity rating is the same as the Windows Server 2003 severity rating.
•

The Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems severity rating is the same as the Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 severity rating.
•

The Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition severity rating is the same as the Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 severity rating.
Top of sectionTop of section

Vulnerability Details

VML Buffer Overrun Vulnerability - CVE-2006-4868:

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the Vector Markup Language (VML) implementation in Microsoft Windows. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted Web page or HTML e-mail that could potentially allow remote code execution if a user visited the Web page or viewed the message. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system.

Mitigating Factors for VML Buffer Overrun Vulnerability - CVE-2006-4868:
•

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 persuade 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.
•

In an e-mail based attack of this exploit, customers who read e-mail in plain text are at less risk from this vulnerability. Instead users would have to either click on a link that would take them to a malicious Web site or open an attachment to be at risk from this vulnerability.
•

In an e-mail based attack of this exploit, customers who read e-mail using Outlook Express on Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, are at less risk from this vulnerability because Binary and Script Behaviors is disabled by default in the Restricted sites zone.
•

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.
•

By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. This mode mitigates this vulnerability in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 because Binary and Script Behaviors is disabled by default in the Internet zone.
•

By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. This mode mitigates this vulnerability in the e-mail vector for Outlook Express because reading e-mail messages in plain text is the default configuration. See the FAQ section of this security update for more information about Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration.
Top of sectionTop of section

Acknowledgments

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

ISS X-Force for working with Microsoft on the VML Buffer Overrun Vulnerability (CVE-2006-4868).
•

iDEFENSE for working with Microsoft on the VML Buffer Overrun Vulnerability (CVE-2006-4868).
•

Dan Hubbard at Websense Security Labs for working with Microsoft on the VML Buffer Overrun Vulnerability (CVE-2006-4868).

Obtaining Other Security Updates:

Updates for other security issues are available at the following locations:
•

Security updates are available at the Microsoft Download Center. You can find them most easily by doing a keyword search for "security_patch."
•

Updates for consumer platforms are available at the Microsoft Update Web site.

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.

Security Resources:
•

The Microsoft TechNet Security Web site provides additional information about security in Microsoft products.
•

TechNet Update Management Center
•

Microsoft Software Update Services
•

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services
•

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA)
•

Windows Update
•

Microsoft Update
•

Windows Update Catalog: For more information about the Windows Update Catalog, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 323166.
•

Office Update

Software Update Services:

By using Microsoft Software Update Services (SUS), administrators can quickly and reliably deploy the latest critical updates and security updates to Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003-based servers, and to desktop systems that are running Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional.

For more information about how to deploy security updates by using Software Update Services, visit the Software Update Services Web site.

Windows Server Update Services:

By using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), administrators can quickly and reliably deploy the latest critical updates and security updates for Windows 2000 operating systems and later, Office XP and later, Exchange Server 2003, and SQL Server 2000 onto Windows 2000 and later operating systems.

For more information about how to deploy security updates using Windows Server Update Services, visit the Windows Server Update Services Web site.

Systems Management Server:

Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) delivers a highly configurable enterprise solution for managing updates. By using SMS, administrators can identify Windows-based systems that require security updates and can perform controlled deployment of these updates throughout the enterprise with minimal disruption to end users. For more information about how administrators can use SMS 2003 to deploy security updates, visit the SMS 2003 Security Patch Management Web site. SMS 2.0 users can also use Software Updates Service Feature Pack to help deploy security updates. For information about SMS, visit the SMS Web site.

Note SMS uses the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer, the Microsoft Office Detection Tool, and the Enterprise Update Scan Tool to provide broad support for security bulletin update detection and deployment. Some software updates may not be detected by these tools. Administrators can use the inventory capabilities of the SMS in these cases to target updates to specific systems. For more information about this procedure, visit the following Web site. Some security updates require administrative rights following a restart of the system. Administrators can use the Elevated Rights Deployment Tool (available in the SMS 2003 Administration Feature Pack and in the SMS 2.0 Administration Feature Pack) to install these updates.

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 (September 26, 2006): Bulletin published.
• V1.1 (October 5, 2006): Bulletin updated: “Affected Components” updated to
specifically call out Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4. Guidance has been
provided for the “Modify the Access Control List on VGX.DLL to be more
restrictive” workaround concerning software that redistributes vgx.dll.
Additionally, instructions have been provided for customers wishing to revert
to the default installed ACL configuration for vgx.dll.

[***** End MS06-055 (925486) *****]
_______________________________________________________________________________

CIAC wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Microsoft for the
information contained in this bulletin.
_______________________________________________________________________________

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