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Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-023 - Critical

Security Update of ActiveX Kill Bits (948881)

Published: | Updated:

Version: 1.2

General Information

Executive Summary

This security update resolves one privately reported vulnerability for a Microsoft product. This update also includes a kill bit for the Yahoo! Music Jukebox product. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user viewed a specially crafted Web page using Internet Explorer. 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.

The security update is rated Critical for Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 4 on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4; Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 when installed on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4; Windows XP Service Pack 2; and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2.

The security update is rated Important for Windows Vista and Windows Vista Service Pack 1; and Windows Vista x64 Edition and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1.

The security update is rated Moderate for all supported editions of Windows Server 2003.

For all other supported versions of Windows, this security update is rated Low. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by setting a kill bit so the vulnerable controls do not run in Internet Explorer. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection under the next section, Vulnerability Information.

Recommendation. Microsoft recommends that customers apply the update immediately.

Known Issues. No known issues.

Affected and Non-Affected Software

The software listed here 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 SystemComponentMaximum Security ImpactAggregated Severity RatingBulletins Replaced by This Update
Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 4Remote Code ExecutionCriticalNone
Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1Remote Code ExecutionCriticalNone
Windows XP Service Pack 2Remote Code ExecutionCriticalNone
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2Remote Code ExecutionCriticalNone
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2Remote Code ExecutionModerateNone
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2Remote Code ExecutionModerateNone
Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based SystemsRemote Code ExecutionModerateNone
Windows Vista and Windows Vista Service Pack 1Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows Vista x64 Edition and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit SystemsRemote Code ExecutionLowNone
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based SystemsRemote Code ExecutionLowNone
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based SystemsRemote Code ExecutionLowNone

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers

ActiveX Object Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1086

Third Party Kill Bits

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:

  • An anonymous researcher working with the iDefense VCP for reporting the ActiveX Object Memory Corruption Vulnerability – CVE-2008-1086

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.

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 (April 08, 2008): Bulletin published.
  • V1.1 (April 16, 2008): Corrected the uninstall utility path for this update on Windows XP (all editions).
  • V1.2 (April 23, 2008): Corrected the Registry Key for Verification for all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2003.