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Microsoft Security Bulletin MS11-015 - Critical

Vulnerabilities in Windows Media Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2510030)

Published: | Updated:

Version: 1.2

General Information

Executive Summary

This security update resolves one publicly disclosed vulnerability in DirectShow and one privately reported vulnerability in Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center. The more severe of these vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Microsoft Digital Video Recording (.dvr-ms) file. In all cases, a user cannot be forced to open the file; for an attack to be successful, a user must be convinced to do so.

This security update is rated Critical for affected editions of Windows XP (including Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005); all supported editions of Windows Vista and Windows 7; and Windows Media Center TV Pack for Windows Vista. This security update is also rated Important for all supported editions of Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based systems. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The security update addresses the vulnerabilities by modifying the way library files and Windows media files are opened. 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 immediately 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 Media Center Edition 2005 Service Pack 3
(KB2502898)
Remote Code ExecutionCriticalNone
Windows XP Service Pack 3
(KB2479943)
Remote Code ExecutionCriticalNone
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
(KB2479943)
Remote Code ExecutionCriticalNone
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2[1]
(KB2479943)
Remote Code ExecutionCriticalNone
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2[2]
(KB2479943)
Remote Code ExecutionCriticalNone
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems and Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1
(KB2479943)
Remote Code ExecutionCriticalNone
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems and Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
(KB2479943)
Remote Code ExecutionCriticalNone
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1**
(KB2479943)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone

[1]See note [2] below about Windows Media Center TV Pack for Windows Vista.

**Server Core installation not affected. The vulnerabilities addressed by this update do not affect supported editions of Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 as indicated, when 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.

Affected Software

Other SoftwareMaximum Security ImpactAggregate Severity RatingBulletins Replaced by this Update
Windows Media Center TV Pack for Windows Vista (32-bit editions)[2]
(KB2494132)
Remote Code ExecutionCriticalNone
Windows Media Center TV Pack for Windows Vista (64-bit editions)[2]
(KB2494132)
Remote Code ExecutionCriticalNone

[2]Windows Media Center TV Pack for Windows Vista is available only on Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) installations of the Home Premium and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista as an optional component. Customers who have this optional component installed on their systems should install both available updates. In keeping with best practices, Microsoft recommends installing the operating system update (KB2479943) before installing the Windows Media Center TV Pack update (KB2494132).

Non-Affected Software

Operating System
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems and Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers

DirectShow Insecure Library Loading Vulnerability - CVE-2011-0032

DVR-MS Vulnerability - CVE-2011-0042

Update Information

Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance

Security Update Deployment

Other Information

Acknowledgments

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

  • Matthew Watchinski of Sourcefire VRT for reporting the DVR-MS Vulnerability (CVE-2011-0042)

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 (March 8, 2011): Bulletin published.
  • V1.1 (March 9, 2011): Corrected the Systems Management Server table entries for SMS 2.0 and SMS 2003 with SUIT for Windows XP Service Pack 3. These are informational changes only. There were no changes to the security update files or detection logic.
  • V1.2 (March 16, 2011): Removed erroneous references to Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3 and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition Service Pack 3 in Non-Affected Software. This is an informational change only. There were no changes to the security update files or detection logic. For customers who are running Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Table PC Edition and who have not already applied this update, Microsoft recommends applying the update immediately. Customers who have already applied the update do not need to take any action.