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Microsoft Security Bulletin MS09-025 - Important

Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (968537)

Published:

Version: 1.0

General Information

Executive Summary

This security update resolves two publicly disclosed and two privately reported vulnerabilities in the Windows kernel that could allow elevation of privilege. An attacker who successfully exploited any of these vulnerabilities could execute arbitrary code and 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. An attacker must have valid logon credentials and be able to log on locally to exploit these vulnerabilities. The vulnerabilities could not be exploited remotely or by anonymous users.

This security update is rated Important for all supported editions of Microsoft Windows 2000, 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 these vulnerabilities by correcting the methods used for validating a change in specific kernel objects, for validating the input passed from user mode to the kernel, and for validating the argument passed to the system call. The security update also addresses a vulnerability by ensuring that the Windows kernel cleans up pointers under error conditions. For more information about the vulnerabilities, 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

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 SystemMaximum Security ImpactAggregate Severity RatingBulletins Replaced by this Update
Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS09-006
Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS09-006
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS09-006
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS09-006
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS09-006
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based SystemsElevation of PrivilegeImportantMS09-006
Windows Vista and Windows Vista Service Pack 1Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS09-006
Windows Vista Service Pack 2Elevation of PrivilegeImportantNone
Windows Vista x64 Edition and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS09-006
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2Elevation of PrivilegeImportantNone
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems*Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS09-006
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2*Elevation of PrivilegeImportantNone
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems*Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS09-006
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2*Elevation of PrivilegeImportantNone
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based SystemsElevation of PrivilegeImportantMS09-006
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2Elevation of PrivilegeImportantNone

*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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers

Windows Kernel Desktop Vulnerability- CVE-2009-1123

Windows Kernel Pointer Validation Vulnerability- CVE-2009-1124

Windows Driver Class Registration Vulnerability - CVE-2009-1125

Windows Desktop Parameter Edit Vulnerability - CVE-2009-1126

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:

  • Thomas Garnier for reporting the Windows Kernel Pointer Validation Vulnerability (CVE-2009-1124) and the Windows Driver Class Registration Vulnerability (CVE-2009-1125)

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 (June 9, 2009): Bulletin published.