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Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-073 - Important

Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (981957)

Published:

Version: 1.0

General Information

Executive Summary

This security update resolves several publicly disclosed vulnerabilities in the Windows kernel-mode drivers. The most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker logs on to an affected system and runs a specially crafted application. 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.

This security update is rated Important for all supported editions of Microsoft Windows. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The security update addresses the vulnerabilities by correcting the manner in which the Windows kernel-mode drivers maintain the reference count for an object, index a table of function pointers when loading a keyboard layout from disk, and validate window class data. 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. The majority of customers have automatic updating enabled and 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 and install this update manually. For information about specific configuration options in automatic updating, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 294871.

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. None

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
Windows XP Service Pack 3Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS10-048
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS10-048
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS10-048
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS10-048
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based SystemsElevation of PrivilegeImportantMS10-048
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS10-048
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS10-048
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems and Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2*Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS10-048
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2*Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS10-048
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS10-048
Windows 7 for 32-bit SystemsElevation of PrivilegeImportantMS10-048
Windows 7 for x64-based SystemsElevation of PrivilegeImportantMS10-048
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems*Elevation of PrivilegeImportantMS10-048
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based SystemsElevation of PrivilegeImportantMS10-048

*Server Core installation affected. This update applies, with the same severity rating, to supported editions of Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 as indicated, whether or not installed using the Server Core installation option. For more information on this installation option, see the TechNet articles, Managing a Server Core Installation and Servicing a Server Core Installation. Note that the Server Core installation option does not apply to certain editions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2; see Compare Server Core Installation Options.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers

Win32k Reference Count Vulnerability - CVE-2010-2549

Win32k Keyboard Layout Vulnerability - CVE-2010-2743

Win32k Window Class Vulnerability - CVE-2010-2744

Update Information

Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance

Security Update Deployment

Other Information

Acknowledgements

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

  • Sergey Golovanov, Alexander Gostev, Maxim Golovkin, and Alexey Monastyrsky of Kaspersky Lab, and Vitaly Kiktenko and Alexander Saprykin of Design and Test Lab for reporting the Win32k Keyboard Layout Vulnerability (CVE-2010-2743)
  • Eric Chien of Symantec for reporting the Win32k Keyboard Layout Vulnerability (CVE-2010-2743)
  • Tarjei Mandt of Norman for working with us on the Win32k Window Class Vulnerability (CVE-2010-2744)

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 (October 12, 2010): Bulletin published.