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Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-068 - Important

Vulnerability in SMB Could Allow Remote Code Execution (957097)

Published: | Updated:

Version: 1.2

General Information

Executive Summary

This security update resolves a publicly disclosed vulnerability in Microsoft Server Message Block (SMB) Protocol. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution on affected systems. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. 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 Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003, and Moderate for all supported editions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that SMB authentication replies are validated to prevent the replay of credentials. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection for the specific vulnerability entry under the next section, Vulnerability Information.

Recommendation. Microsoft recommends that customers apply the update at the earliest opportunity.

Known Issues. Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 957097 documents the currently known issues that customers may experience when installing this security update. The article also documents recommended solutions for these issues.

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

Operating SystemMaximum Security ImpactAggregate Severity RatingBulletins Replaced by this Update
Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS06-030
Windows XP Service Pack 2Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS05-011
Windows XP Service Pack 3Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based SystemsRemote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows Vista and Windows Vista Service Pack 1Remote Code ExecutionModerateNone
Windows Vista x64 Edition and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1Remote Code ExecutionModerateNone
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems*Remote Code ExecutionModerateNone
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems*Remote Code ExecutionModerateNone
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based SystemsRemote Code ExecutionModerateNone

*Windows Server 2008 server core installation affected. For supported editions of Windows Server 2008, this update applies, with the same severity rating, whether or not Windows Server 2008 was installed using the Server Core installation option. For more information on this installation option, see Server Core. Note that the Server Core installation option does not apply to certain editions of Windows Server 2008; see Compare Server Core Installation Options.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers

SMB Credential Reflection Vulnerability - CVE-2008-4037

Update Information

Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance

Security Update Deployment

Other Information

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 (November 11, 2008): Bulletin published.
  • V1.1 (November 12, 2008): Corrected entry in the FAQ for SMB Credential Reflection Vulnerability - CVE-2008-4037 section to clarify reports of published proof of concept code. Microsoft has not received any direct reports that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers.
  • V1.2 (December 10, 2008): Added a link to Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 957097 under Known Issues in the Executive Summary and added a known issues entry to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to this Security Update section.