Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-046 – Critical

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-046 – Critical

Vulnerability in Windows Shell Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2286198)

Published: August 02, 2010 | Updated: August 03, 2010

Version: 1.1

General Information

Executive Summary

This security update resolves a publicly disclosed vulnerability in Windows Shell. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if the icon of a specially crafted shortcut is displayed. 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 Microsoft Windows. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting validation of shortcut icon references. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection for the specific vulnerability entry under the next section, Vulnerability Information.

This security update addresses the vulnerability first described in Microsoft Security Advisory 2286198.

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. 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 3 Remote Code execution Critical None
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Remote Code execution Critical None
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Remote Code execution Critical None
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Remote Code execution Critical None
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems 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 Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems and Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2* Remote Code execution Critical None
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2* Remote Code execution Critical None
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems 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
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems* Remote Code execution Critical None
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Remote Code execution Critical None

*Server Core installation affected. This update applies, with the same severity rating, to supported editions of Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 as indicated, whether or not installed using the Server Core installation option. For more information on this installation option, see the TechNet articles, Managing a Server Core Installation andServicing 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; seeCompare Server Core Installation Options.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers

Shortcut Icon Loading Vulnerability – CVE-2010-2568

Update Information

Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance

Security Update Deployment

Other Information

Acknowledgments

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

Sergey I. Ulasen and Oleg Kupreev of VirusBlokAda for reporting the Shortcut Icon Loading Vulnerability (CVE-2010-2568)
Andreas Marx and Maik Morgenstern of AV-Test for reporting the Shortcut Icon Loading Vulnerability (CVE-2010-2568)
Will Dormann of CERT/CC for working with us on the Shortcut Icon Loading Vulnerability (CVE-2010-2568)
Niels Teusink for working with us on the Shortcut Icon Loading Vulnerability (CVE-2010-2568)
Stefan Kanthak for working with us on the Shortcut Icon Loading Vulnerability (CVE-2010-2568)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Revisions

V1.0 (August 2, 2010): Bulletin published.
V1.1 (August 3, 2010): Added an entry to the section, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update, to clarify why Server Core installations are affected.
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