Security Bulletin
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS11-088 - Important
Vulnerability in Microsoft Office IME (Chinese) Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2652016)
Published: December 13, 2011 | Updated: February 22, 2012
Version: 1.2
General Information
Executive Summary
This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Office IME (Chinese). The vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege if a logged-on user performed specific actions on a system where an affected version of the Microsoft Pinyin (MSPY) Input Method Editor (IME) for Simplified Chinese is installed. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in kernel mode. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full administrative rights. Only implementations of Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 are affected by this vulnerability. Other versions of Simplified Chinese IME and other implementations of IME are not affected.
This security update is rated Important for all supported editions of Microsoft Office 2010 where Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 is installed. 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 the Microsoft Office IME (Chinese) exposes configuration options not designed to run on the secure desktop. 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. Customers can configure automatic updating to check online for updates from Microsoft Update by using the Microsoft Update service. Customers who have automatic updating enabled and configured to check online for updates from Microsoft Update typically 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 from Microsoft Update and install this update manually. For information about specific configuration options in automatic updating in supported editions of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 294871. For information about automatic updating in supported editions of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2, see Understanding Windows automatic updating.
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. Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2652016 documents the currently known issues that customers may experience when installing this security update. The article also documents recommended solutions for these issues. When currently known issues and recommended solutions pertain only to specific releases of this software, this article provides links to further articles.
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
| Microsoft Office Suite and Other Software | Component | Maximum Security Impact | Aggregate Severity Rating | Bulletins Replaced by this Update |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Office Suites and Components | ||||
| Microsoft Office 2010 and Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions) | Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 (32-bit version) (KB2596511) | Elevation of Privilege | Important | None |
| Microsoft Office 2010 and Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions) | Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 (64-bit version) (KB2596511) | Elevation of Privilege | Important | None |
| Other Microsoft Office Software | ||||
| Microsoft Office Pinyin SimpleFast Style 2010 and Microsoft Office Pinyin New Experience Style 2010 (32-bit version)[1] | Not applicable | Elevation of Privilege | Important | None |
| Microsoft Office Pinyin SimpleFast Style 2010 and Microsoft Office Pinyin New Experience Style 2010 (64-bit version)[1] | Not applicable | Elevation of Privilege | Important | None |
[1]This version of Microsoft Office Pinyin is no longer supported. See update FAQ for details.
Non-Affected Software
| Office and Other Software |
|---|
| Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 3 |
| Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 2 and Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update
Where are the updates for Microsoft Office Pinyin SimpleFast Style or Microsoft Office Pinyin New Experience?
As of December 13, 2011, Microsoft no longer supports Microsoft Office Pinyin SimpleFast Style 2010 and Microsoft Office Pinyin New Experience Style 2010. In order to receive continued support, Microsoft recommends that all customers of these versions upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 available through Microsoft Office 2010. All security updates for this version of Pinyin IME are available through standard distribution channels, including Microsoft 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.
What is Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010?
Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 is a Microsoft Pinyin (MSPY) Input Method Editor (IME) for Simplified Chinese. Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 is installed with Chinese versions of Microsoft Office 2010 by default and is also available as an optional component in English and other language versions of Microsoft office 2010.
I have an IME installed. Why am I not being offered this update?
Only implementations of Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 are affected by the vulnerability. Other implementations of IME are not affected. Users who have installed an IME other than Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 will not be offered the update.
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.
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 December bulletin summary. For more information, see Microsoft Exploitability Index.
| Affected Software | Pinyin IME Elevation Vulnerability - CVE-2011-2010 | Aggregate Severity Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 (32-bit editions) | Important \ Elevation of Privilege | Important |
| Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 (64-bit editions) | Important \ Elevation of Privilege | Important |
| Microsoft Office Pinyin SimpleFast Style 2010 and Microsoft Office Pinyin New Experience Style 2010 (32-bit versions) | Important \ Elevation of Privilege | Important |
| Microsoft Office Pinyin SimpleFast Style 2010 and Microsoft Office Pinyin New Experience Style 2010 (64-bit versions) | Important \ Elevation of Privilege | Important |
Pinyin IME Elevation Vulnerability - CVE-2011-2010
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists due to the way that the Microsoft Office IME (Chinese) improperly exposes configuration options not designed to run on the secure desktop. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in kernel mode. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full administrative rights.
To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2011-2010.
Mitigating Factors for Pinyin IME Elevation Vulnerability - CVE-2011-2010
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:
- An attacker must have valid logon credentials and be able to log on locally to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability could not be exploited remotely or by anonymous users.
- Only implementations of Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 are affected by this vulnerability. Other versions of Simplified Chinese IME and other implementations of IME are not affected.
Workarounds for Pinyin IME Elevation Vulnerability - CVE-2011-2010
Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.
FAQ for Pinyin IME Elevation Vulnerability - CVE-2011-2010
What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is an elevation of privilege vulnerability. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability 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 administrative rights.
What causes the vulnerability?
The vulnerability is the result of the Microsoft Office IME (Chinese) improperly exposing configuration options not designed to run on the secure desktop.
What is an Input Method Editor (IME)?
Input Method Editors (IMEs) help solve an issue associated with entering information in certain languages via a keyboard. Languages like Chinese and Japanese contain thousands of different characters, and it isn't feasible to build a keyboard that includes all of them. IMEs allow the characters to be built using a standard 101-key keyboard, by specifying the strokes that compose each character.
An IME consists of an engine that converts keystrokes into phonetic and ideographic characters and a dictionary of commonly-used ideographic words. As the user enters keystrokes via the keyboard, the IME identifies the keystrokes and converts them into characters.
What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in kernel mode. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full administrative rights.
How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system. The attacker could then perform specific actions utilizing the MSPY IME toolbar to launch Internet Explorer with system-level privileges. The attacker could then run a program with system-level privileges.
What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Systems where an affected version of the Microsoft Pinyin (MSPY) Input Method Editor (IME) for Simplified Chinese has been installed are at risk from this vulnerability.
What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the manner in which the Microsoft Office IME (Chinese) exposes configuration options not designed to run on the secure desktop.
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.
Update Information
Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance
Security Central
Manage the software and security updates you need to deploy to the servers, desktop, and mobile systems in your organization. For more information see the TechNet Update Management Center. The Microsoft TechNet Security Web site provides additional information about security in Microsoft products.
Security updates are available from Microsoft Update and Windows Update. Security updates are also available from the Microsoft Download Center. You can find them most easily by doing a keyword search for "security update."
For customers of Microsoft Office for Mac, Microsoft AutoUpdate for Mac can help keep your Microsoft software up to date. For more information about using Microsoft AutoUpdate for Mac, see Check for software updates automatically.
Finally, security updates can be downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The Microsoft Update Catalog provides a searchable catalog of content made available through Windows Update and Microsoft Update, including security updates, drivers and service packs. By searching using the security bulletin number (such as, "MS07-036"), you can add all of the applicable updates to your basket (including different languages for an update), and download to the folder of your choosing. For more information about the Microsoft Update Catalog, see the Microsoft Update Catalog FAQ.
Detection and Deployment Guidance
Microsoft provides detection and deployment guidance for security updates. This guidance contains recommendations and information that can help IT professionals understand how to use various tools for detection and deployment of security updates. For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 961747.
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) allows administrators to scan local and remote systems for missing security updates as well as common security misconfigurations. For more information about MBSA, visit Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer.
The following table provides the MBSA detection summary for this security update.
| Software | MBSA |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Office 2010 and Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions) | Yes |
| Microsoft Office 2010 and Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions) | Yes |
Note For customers using legacy software not supported by the latest release of MBSA, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server Update Services, please visit Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer and reference the Legacy Product Support section on how to create comprehensive security update detection with legacy tools.
Windows Server Update Services
Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) enables information technology administrators to deploy the latest Microsoft product updates to computers that are running the Windows operating system. For more information about how to deploy security updates using Windows Server Update Services, see the TechNet article, Windows Server Update Services.
Systems Management Server
The following table provides the SMS detection and deployment summary for this security update.
| Software | SMS 2003 with ITMU | Configuration Manager 2007 |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Office 2010 and Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions) | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft Office 2010 and Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions) | Yes | Yes |
Note Microsoft discontinued support for SMS 2.0 on April 12, 2011. For SMS 2003, Microsoft also discontinued support for the Security Update Inventory Tool (SUIT) on April 12, 2011. Customers are encouraged to upgrade to System Center Configuration Manager 2007. For customers remaining on SMS 2003 Service Pack 3, the Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates (ITMU) is also an option.
For SMS 2003, the SMS 2003 Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates (ITMU) can be used by SMS to detect security updates that are offered by Microsoft Update and that are supported by Windows Server Update Services. For more information about the SMS 2003 ITMU, see SMS 2003 Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates. For more information about SMS scanning tools, see SMS 2003 Software Update Scanning Tools. See also Downloads for Systems Management Server 2003.
System Center Configuration Manager 2007 uses WSUS 3.0 for detection of updates. For more information about Configuration Manager 2007 Software Update Management, visit System Center Configuration Manager 2007.
For more information about SMS, visit the SMS Web site.
For more detailed information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 910723: Summary list of monthly detection and deployment guidance articles.
Office Administrative Installation Point
If you installed your application from a server location, the server administrator must update the server location with the administrative update and deploy that update to your system.
- For supported versions of Microsoft Office XP, see Creating an Administrative Installation Point. For more information on how to change the source for a client system from an updated administrative installation point to an Office XP original baseline source, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 922665.
Note If you plan to manage software updates centrally from an updated administrative image, you can find more information in the article Updating Office XP Clients from a Patched Administrative Image. - For supported versions of Microsoft Office 2003, see Creating an Administrative Installation Point. For more information on how to change the source for a client computer from an updated administrative installation point to an Office 2003 original baseline source or Service Pack 3 (SP3), see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 902349.
Note If you plan to manage software updates centrally from an updated administrative image, you can find more information in the article, Distributing Office 2003 Product Updates. - For creating a network installation point for supported versions of Microsoft Office, see Create a network installation point for Microsoft Office.
Note If you plan to manage security updates centrally, use Windows Server Update Services. For more information about how to deploy security updates for Microsoft Office, visit the Windows Server Update Services Web site.
Update Compatibility Evaluator and Application Compatibility Toolkit
Updates often write to the same files and registry settings required for your applications to run. This can trigger incompatibilities and increase the time it takes to deploy security updates. You can streamline testing and validating Windows updates against installed applications with the Update Compatibility Evaluator components included with Application Compatibility Toolkit.
The Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) contains the necessary tools and documentation to evaluate and mitigate application compatibility issues before deploying Microsoft Windows Vista, a Windows Update, a Microsoft Security Update, or a new version of Windows Internet Explorer in your environment.
Security Update Deployment
Affected Software
For information about the specific security update for your affected software, click the appropriate link:
Microsoft Office 2010 (all editions)
Reference Table
The following table contains the security update information for this software. You can find additional information in the subsection, Deployment Information, in this section.
| Inclusion in Future Service Packs | The update for this issue will be included in a future service pack or update rollup |
|---|---|
| Deployment | |
| Installing without user intervention | For Microsoft office 2010 and Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions) with Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 (32-bit version):\ imeloc2010-kb2596511-fullfile-x86-glb.exe /passive |
| For Microsoft office 2010 and Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions) with Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 (64-bit version):\ imeloc2010-kb2596511-fullfile-x64-glb.exe /passive | |
| Installing without restarting | For Microsoft office 2010 and Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions) with Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 (32-bit version):\ imeloc2010-kb2596511-fullfile-x86-glb.exe /norestart |
| For Microsoft office 2010 and Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions) with Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 (64-bit version):\ imeloc2010-kb2596511-fullfile-x64-glb.exe /norestart | |
| Update log file | Not applicable |
| Further information | For detection and deployment, see the earlier section, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance. |
| Restart Requirement | |
| Restart required? | In some cases, this update does not require a restart. If the required files are being used, this update will require a restart. If this behavior occurs, a message appears that advises you to restart.\ \ To help reduce the chance that a restart will be required, stop all affected services and close all applications that may use the affected files prior to installing the security update. For more information about the reasons why you may be prompted to restart, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 887012. |
| HotPatching | Not applicable |
| Removal Information | Use Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel. |
| File Information | For Microsoft office 2010 and Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 1 with Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010, see:\ Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2596511 |
| Registry Key Verification | Not applicable |
Deployment Information
Installing the Update
You can install the update from the appropriate download link in the Affected and Non-Affected Software section. If you installed your application from a server location, the server administrator must instead update the server location with the administrative update and deploy that update to your system. For more information about Administrative Installation Points, refer to the Office Administrative Installation Point information in the Detection and deployment Tools and Guidance subsection.
This security update requires that Windows Installer 3.1 or later be installed on the system.
To install the 3.1 or later version of Windows Installer, visit one of the following Microsoft Web sites:
- Windows Installer 4.5 Redistributable for Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP
- Windows Installer 3.1 Redistributable for Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Microsoft Windows 2000
For more information about the terminology that appears in this bulletin, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.
This security update supports the following setup switches.
Supported Security Update Installation Switches
| Switch | Description |
|---|---|
| /? or /help | Displays usage dialog. |
| /passive | Specifies passive mode. Requires no user interaction; users see basic progress dialogs but cannot cancel. |
| /quiet | Specifies quiet mode, or suppresses prompts, when files are being extracted. |
| /norestart | Suppresses restarting the system if the update requires a restart. |
| /forcerestart | Automatically restarts the system after applying the update, regardless of whether the update requires the restart. |
| /extract | Extracts the files without installing them. You are prompted for a target folder. |
| /extract:<path> | Overrides the install command that is defined by author. Specifies the path and name of the Setup.inf or .exe file. |
| /lang:<LCID> | Forces the use of a specific language, when the update package supports that language. |
| /log:<log file> | Enables logging, by both Vnox and Installer, during the update installation. |
Note You can combine these switches into one command. For backward compatibility, the security update also supports many of the setup switches that the earlier version of the Setup program uses. For more information about the supported installation switches, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 262841.
Removing the Update
To remove this security update, use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel.
Note When you remove this update, you may be prompted to insert the 2007 Microsoft Office CD in the CD drive. Additionally, you may not have the option to uninstall the update from the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel. There are several possible causes for this issue. For more information about the removal, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 903771.
Verifying that the Update Has Been Applied
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
To verify that a security update has been applied to an affected system, you may be able to use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) tool. See the section, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance, earlier in this bulletin for more information.
File Version Verification
Because there are several editions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your system. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.
- Click Start and then enter an update file name in the Start Search box.
- When the file appears under Programs, right-click the file name and click Properties.
- On the General tab, compare the file size with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
Note Depending on the edition of the operating system, or the programs that are installed on your system, some of the files that are listed in the file information table may not be installed. - You can also click the Details tab and compare information, such as file version and date modified, with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
Note Attributes other than the file version may change during installation. Comparing other file attributes to the information in the file information table is not a supported method of verifying that the update has been applied. Also, in certain cases, files may be renamed during installation. If the file or version information is not present, use one of the other available methods to verify update installation. - Finally, you can also click the Previous Versions tab and compare file information for the previous version of the file with the file information for the new, or updated, version of the file.
Other Information
Acknowledgments
Microsoft thanks the following for working with us to help protect customers:
- Yang Yanbei for reporting the Pinyin IME Elevation Vulnerability (CVE-2011-2010)
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 (December 13, 2011): Bulletin published.
- V1.1 (December 14, 2011): Added a link to Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2652016 under Known Issues in the Executive Summary.
- V1.2 (February 22, 2012): Clarified product support status for Microsoft Office Pinyin SimpleFast Style 2010 and Microsoft Office Pinyin New Experience Style 2010. These versions of Microsoft Office Pinyin are no longer supported. Microsoft recommends that all customers of these versions upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 available through Microsoft Office 2010. See update FAQ for details.
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