Microsoft Security Bulletin MS15-006 - Important

Vulnerability in Windows Error Reporting Could Allow Security Feature Bypass (3004365)

Published: January 13, 2015 | Updated: July 22, 2015

Version: 2.0

Executive Summary

This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Windows Error Reporting (WER). The vulnerability could allow security feature bypass if successfully exploited by an attacker. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain access to the memory of a running process. 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 important for all supported editions of Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, and Windows RT 8.1. For more information, see the Affected Software section.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how WER interacts with processes. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Vulnerability Information section for the specific vulnerability.

For more information about this update, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 3004365. 

Affected Software

The following software versions or editions are affected. Versions or editions that are not listed 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 available via Windows Update only. 

Update FAQ

Does this update contain any security-related changes to functionality? 
Yes. In addition to the changes that are listed in the Vulnerability Information section of this bulletin, this update includes defense-in-depth updates to WER.

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 January bulletin summary. 

Vulnerability Information

Windows Error Reporting Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability - CVE-2015-0001

A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Windows Error Reporting (WER) that allows administrative users to view the memory contents of processes protected by "Protected Process Light." "Protected Process Light" inhibits debugging of critical system processes by arbitrary users on the system, even administrative users. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could access the memory of a running process protected by "Protected Process Light."

"Protected Process Light" is designed to help mitigate attack scenarios where a malicious user already has administrative access and is trying to gather additional credentials in order to facilitate lateral attacks against other systems.

An attacker must have valid logon credentials, and be able to log on locally with administrator privileges to exploit this vulnerability. The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how WER interacts with processes.

Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure. When this security bulletin was issued, Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers.

Mitigating Factors

The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:

• An attacker must have valid logon credentials, and be able to log on locally with administrator privileges to successfully exploit this vulnerability.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability. 

Security Update Deployment

For Security Update Deployment information see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article referenced in the Executive Summary.

Acknowledgments

Microsoft recognizes the efforts of those in the security community who help us protect customers through coordinated vulnerability disclosure. See Acknowledgments for more information.

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 (January 13, 2015): Bulletin published.
• V1.1 (January 21, 2015): Bulletin revised to correct Server Core installation entries in the Affected Software and Severity Ratings tables. This is an informational change only. Customers who have already successfully installed the update do not have to take any action.
• V2.0 (July 22, 2015): Bulletin revised to inform customers of the July 14, 2015 reoffering of the 3004365 update for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 systems. The update provides defense-in-depth measures beyond what was provided in the original update issued on January 13, 2015. Customers running these operating systems who have already successfully applied the update should reinstall the update to be best protected from the vulnerability discussed in this bulletin.

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