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Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-043

Buffer Overrun in Messenger Service Could Allow Code Execution (828035)

Issued: October 15, 2003
Updated: December 2, 2003
Version Number: 2.3

See all Windows bulletins released October, 2003

Summary

Who Should Read This Document:
Customers using Microsoft® Windows®

Impact of Vulnerability:
Remote Code Execution

Maximum Severity Rating:
Critical

Recommendation:
Customers should disable the Messenger Service immediately and evaluate their need to deploy the patch

Patch Replacement:
None

Caveats:
Windows NT 4.0 Client Computers may have network-related problems after installing this security update. Microsoft encourages customers to review the details of Microsoft Knowledge Base Article http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=831579

Tested Software and Patch Download Locations:

Affected Software:

Non Affected Software:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition

The software listed above has been tested to determine if the versions are affected. Other versions are no longer supported, and may or may not be affected.

General Information

Technical Details

Workarounds

Frequently Asked Questions

Security Patch Information

Other Information

Acknowledgments

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

Obtaining other security patches:

Patches for other security issues are available from the following locations:

  • Security patches are available from the Microsoft Download Center, and can be most easily found by doing a keyword search for "security_patch".
  • Patches for consumer platforms are available from the Windows Update web site

Support:

Security Resources:

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 October 15, 2003: Bulletin published.
  • V1.1 October 22, 2003: Updated the security patch supports in the "Security Patch Information" section for Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Windows 2000.
  • V2.0 October 29, 2003: A revised version of the security patch for Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 has been released to correct the issue documented by Knowledge Base Article 830846.
  • V2.1 November 13, 2003: Bulletin updated to reflect correct file versions for Windows XP update.
  • V2.2 November 14, 2003: Subsequent to the release of this bulletin, it was determined that the update for Windows XP did not properly place the updated file wkssvc.dll into the %systemroot%\system32\dllcache. This problem is unrelated to the security vulnerability discussed in this bulletin. Microsoft recommends that customers who have previously applied the security update reinstall the latest version to insure that their system remains protected in the event that the wkssvc.dll is ever deleted or becomes corrupt. More information on this is available in the FAQ section of this bulletin. Caveats section has been updated to include new information relevant to NT 4.0 clients.
  • V2.3 December 2, 2003: Bulletin updated to reflect correct file versions and date/time stamp for Windows XP update.