Microsoft Security Bulletin MS14-041 - Important

Vulnerability in DirectShow Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2975681)

Published: July 8, 2014

Version: 1.0

General Information

Executive Summary

This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. The vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker first exploits another vulnerability in a low integrity process and then uses this vulnerability to execute specially crafted code in the context of the logged on user. By default, the modern, immersive browsing experience on Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 runs with Enhanced Protected Mode (EPM). For example, customers using the touch-friendly Internet Explorer 11 browser on modern Windows tablets are using Enhanced Protected Mode by default. Enhanced Protected Mode uses advanced security protections that can help mitigate against exploitation of this vulnerability on 64-bit systems.

This security update is rated Important for all supported editions of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 (excluding Itanium), Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 (excluding Itanium), Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2. For more information, see the Affected and Non-Affected Software section.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how DirectShow manages objects in memory. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection for the specific vulnerability in this bulletin.

Recommendation. Most customers have automatic updating enabled and will not need to take any action because this security update will be downloaded and installed automatically. For information about specific configuration options in automatic updating, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 294871. For customers who do not have automatic updating enabled, the steps in Turn automatic updating on or off can be used to enable automatic updating.

For enterprise installations, or administrators and end users who want to install this security update manually (including customers who have not enabled automatic updating), 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. The updates are also available via the download links in the Affected Software table in this bulletin.

For additional guidance, see the Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance section in this bulletin.

Knowledge Base Article

• Knowledge Base Article: 2975681
• File Information: Yes
• SHA1/SHA2 hashes: Yes
• Known issues: None

Affected and Non-Affected Software

The following software has 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, see Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

Affected Software 

^[1]This update is for systems that have the 2919355 update installed. See the Update FAQ for more information. 

^[2]This update is for systems that do not have the 2919355 update installed. This update is not available via the Microsoft Download Center. See the Update FAQ for more information. 

Non-Affected Software

Update FAQ

There are multiple updates listed for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2. Do I need to install all the updates?
No. Depending on how your system is configured to receive updates, only one of the updates for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 will apply.

For systems running Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2:

Update 2972280 is for systems that already have the 2919355 (Windows 8.1 Update) update installed.

Update 2973932 is for systems without the 2919355 update installed. Note that the 2973932 update is only available for customers managing updates using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Windows Intune, or System Center Configuration Manager.

For Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 are there any prerequisites for the 2972280 update?
Yes. Customers running Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2 must first install the 2919355 (Windows 8.1 Update) update released in April, 2014 before installing the 2972280  update. For more information about the prerequisite update, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2919355.

I am running one of the operating systems that is listed in the affected software table. Why am I not being offered this update?
On supported editions of Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2, the update only applies if the Desktop Experience feature is enabled. For more information about the Desktop Experience feature, refer to the following:

For Windows Server 2008, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 947036.

For Windows Server 2008 R2, see Desktop Experience Overview.

For Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2, see Desktop Experience Overview.

How are Server Core installations affected by the vulnerabilities addressed in this bulletin? 
The vulnerabilities addressed by this update do not affect supported editions of Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, or Windows Server 2012 as indicated in the Non-Affected Software table, when installed using the Server Core installation option. For more information on this installation option, see the TechNet articles, Managing a Server Core Installation: Overview, Servicing a Server Core Installation, and Server Core and Full Server Integration Overview.

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 has been tested to determine which releases are affected. Other releases are past their support life cycle. For more information about the product lifecycle, see the Microsoft Support Lifecycle website.

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 Service Pack Lifecycle Support Policy.

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, see the Microsoft Worldwide Information website, 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.

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 July bulletin summary. For more information, see Microsoft Exploitability Index.

DirectShow Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability - CVE-2014-2780

A vulnerability exists in DirectShow that could allow an elevation of privilege.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2014-2780.

Mitigating Factors

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:

By default, the modern, immersive browsing experience on Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 runs with Enhanced Protected Mode (EPM). For example, customers using the touch-friendly Internet Explorer 11 browser on modern Windows tablets are using Enhanced Protected Mode by default. Enhanced Protected Mode uses advanced security protections that can help mitigate against exploitation of this vulnerability on 64-bit systems. See the FAQ section for this vulnerability for more information about Enhanced Protected Mode.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.

FAQ

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a local elevation of privilege vulnerability.

What causes the vulnerability?
The vulnerability is caused when DirectShow improperly handles certain objects in memory, which results in the execution of code in the same context as the logged on user.

What is DirectShow?
DirectX consists of a set of low-level Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) used by Windows programs for multimedia support. Within DirectX, the DirectShow technology performs client-side audio and video sourcing, manipulation and rendering.

Microsoft DirectShow is used for streaming media on Microsoft Windows operating systems. DirectShow is used for high-quality capture and playback of multimedia streams. It automatically detects and uses video and audio acceleration hardware when available, but also supports systems without acceleration hardware. DirectShow is also integrated with other DirectX technologies. Some examples of applications that use DirectShow include DVD players, video editing applications, AVI to ASF converters, MP3 players, and digital video capture applications

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could cause code to execute within the context of the logged on user and take complete control of an affected system.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
To exploit this vulnerability an attacker would first have to have successfully exploit another vulnerability in a low integrity process and then use this vulnerability to execute specially crafted code in the context of the logged on user.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Workstations and terminal servers are primarily at risk. Servers could be at more risk if administrators allow users to log on to servers and to run programs. However, best practices strongly discourage allowing this.

Does Enhanced Protected Mode (EPM) and 64-bit processes for Enhanced Protected Mode help mitigate attacks that could attempt to exploit this vulnerability?
Yes. For Internet Explorer 10 and Internet Explorer 11, enabling Enhanced Protected Mode (EPM) and 64-bit processes for Enhanced Protected Mode helps mitigate attacks that could attempt to exploit this vulnerability on 64-bit systems. Enhanced Protected Mode does not mitigate against this vulnerability on 32-bit systems because the 64-bit processes for Enhanced Protected Mode feature is not available.

Note Enhanced Protected Mode is enabled by default for the modern, immersive browser. For Internet Explorer on the Desktop, EPM must be enabled manually.

For Internet Explorer 10 on the Desktop running on Windows 7 for x64-based systems and Windows 8 for x64-based systems, you must enable Enhanced Protected Mode (EPM). When you enable EPM on these operating systems, 64-bit processes for Enhanced Protected Mode is also enabled. There is no separate option to turn this feature on or off in Internet Explorer 10.

For Internet Explorer 11 on the Desktop running on Windows 7 for x64-based systems and Windows 8.1 for x64-based systems, you must enable both Enhanced Protected Mode (EPM) and 64-bit processes for Enhanced Protected Mode separately.

Note that after you enable Enhanced Protected Mode, incompatible add-ons will automatically be disabled. If you encounter a site that needs a disabled add-on in order to work, you can disable Enhanced Protected Mode just for that particular website. If you disable Enhanced Protected Mode for a website, any protections that EPM would provide will not apply when visiting the website. For more information about EPM, see Enhanced Protected Mode on desktop IE.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how DirectShow manages objects in memory.

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.

Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance

Several resources are available to help administrators deploy security updates. 

• Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) lets administrators scan local and remote systems for missing security updates and common security misconfigurations. 
• Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Systems Management Server (SMS), and System Center Configuration Manager help administrators distribute security updates. 
• The Update Compatibility Evaluator components included with Application Compatibility Toolkit aid in streamlining the testing and validation of Windows updates against installed applications. 

For information about these and other tools that are available, see Security Tools for IT Pros. 

Security Update Deployment

Windows Vista (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software.

Windows Server 2008 (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software.

Windows 7 (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software.

Windows Server 2008 R2 (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software.

Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software.

Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software.

Acknowledgments

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

• VUPEN, working with HP's Zero Day Initiative, for reporting the DirectShow Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (CVE-2014-2780)

Other Information

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 go to the active protections websites provided by program partners, listed in Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP) Partners.

Support

How to obtain help and support for this security update

• Help installing updates: Support for Microsoft Update
• Security solutions for IT professionals: TechNet Security Troubleshooting and Support
• Help protect your computer that is running Windows from viruses and malware: Virus Solution and Security Center
• Local support according to your country: International Support

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 (July 8, 2014): Bulletin published.

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