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Microsoft Security Bulletin MS11-017 - Important

Vulnerability in Remote Desktop Client Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2508062)

Published: | Updated:

Version: 1.5

General Information

Executive Summary

This security update resolves a publicly disclosed vulnerability in Windows Remote Desktop Client. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user opens a legitimate Remote Desktop configuration (.rdp) file located in the same network folder as a specially crafted library file. For an attack to be successful, a user must visit an untrusted remote file system location or WebDAV share and open a document from this location that is then loaded by a vulnerable application.

This security update is rated Important for Remote Desktop Connection 5.2 Client, Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 Client, Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 Client, and Remote Desktop Connection 7.0 Client. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the manner in which the Windows Remote Desktop Client loads external libraries. 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. 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. Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2508062 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 SystemComponentMaximum Security ImpactAggregate Severity RatingBulletins Replaced by this Update
Remote Desktop Connection 5.2 Client
Windows XP Service Pack 3Remote Desktop Connection 5.2 Client
(KB2483618)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS09-044
Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 Client and Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 Client
Windows XP Service Pack 3Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 Client
(KB2481109)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 Client[1]
(KB2481109)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 Client[1]
(KB2481109)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 Client Multilingual User Interface (MUI)[2]
(KB2483619)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 Client[1]
(KB2481109)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 Client
(KB2481109)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS09-044
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 Client
(KB2481109)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS09-044
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems and Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 Client**
(KB2481109)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS09-044
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 Client**
(KB2481109)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS09-044
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 Client
(KB2481109)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS09-044
Remote Desktop Connection 7.0 Client
Windows XP Service Pack 3Remote Desktop Connection 7.0 Client
(KB2483614)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2Remote Desktop Connection 7.0 Client
(KB2483614)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2Remote Desktop Connection 7.0 Client
(KB2483614)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows 7 for 32-bit SystemsRemote Desktop Connection 7.0 Client
(KB2483614)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows 7 for x64-based SystemsRemote Desktop Connection 7.0 Client
(KB2483614)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based SystemsRemote Desktop Connection 7.0 Client**
(KB2483614)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based SystemsRemote Desktop Connection 7.0 Client
(KB2483614)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone

**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.

[1]This download upgrades Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 Client to a non-affected version of Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 Client.

[2]This download upgrades Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 Client Multilingual User Interface (MUI) to a non-affected version of Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 Client Multilingual User Interface (MUI).

Non-Affected Software

Operating SystemComponent
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2Remote Desktop Connection 5.2 Client
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2Remote Desktop Connection 5.2 Client
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2Remote Desktop Connection 5.2 Client
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based SystemsRemote Desktop Connection 5.2 Client
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1Remote Desktop Connection 7.1 Client
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1Remote Desktop Connection 7.1 Client
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1Remote Desktop Connection 7.1 Client
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1Remote Desktop Connection 7.1 Client

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers

Remote Desktop Insecure Library Loading Vulnerability - CVE-2011-0029

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:

  • Eyal Gruner of Versafe Anti Fraud for reporting the Remote Desktop Insecure Library Loading Vulnerability (CVE-2011-0029)

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 8, 2011): Corrected the Systems Management Server table entries for SMS 2.0 and SMS 2003 with SUIT for Windows XP Service Pack 3 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2. These are informational changes only. There were no changes to the security update files or detection logic.
  • V1.2 (March 9, 2011): Corrected the Non-Affected Software component entries for the service pack 1 versions of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 from Remote Desktop Connection 7.0 Client to Remote Desktop Connection 7.1 Client. These are informational changes only. There were no changes to the security update files or detection logic.
  • V1.3 (April 13, 2011): Corrected the bulletin replacement information for Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 Client on supported editions of Windows Server 2003 and Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 Client on supported editions of Windows Vista. This is a bulletin change only. There were no changes to the detection or security update files.
  • V1.4 (April 15, 2011): Corrected the bulletin replacement information for Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 Client on supported editions of Windows Server 2003 and Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 Client on supported editions of Windows Server 2008. This is a bulletin change only. There were no changes to the detection or security update files.
  • V1.5 (May 4, 2011): Corrected the bulletin replacement information for Remote Desktop Connection 5.2 Client on supported editions of Windows XP Service Pack 3. This is a bulletin change only. There were no changes to the detection or security update files.