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Microsoft Security Bulletin MS11-027 - Critical

Cumulative Security Update of ActiveX Kill Bits (2508272)

Published: | Updated:

Version: 1.1

General Information

Executive Summary

This security update resolves two privately reported vulnerabilities and one publicly disclosed vulnerability in Microsoft software. The vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted Web page that instantiates a specific ActiveX control with Internet Explorer. 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 update also includes kill bits for three third-party ActiveX controls.

This security update is rated Critical for all supported editions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, and Moderate for all supported editions of Windows Server 2003 (except Itanium-based editions), Windows Server2008 (except Itanium-based editions), and Windows Server 2008 R2. For Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008, this security update has no severity rating. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The security update addresses the vulnerabilities by setting kill bits so that the vulnerable controls do not run in Internet Explorer. For more information about the vulnerabilities, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsections 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 Service Pack 3Remote Code ExecutionCriticalMS10-034
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2Remote Code ExecutionCriticalMS10-034
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2Remote Code ExecutionModerateMS10-034
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2Remote Code ExecutionModerateMS10-034
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based SystemsNoneNo severity rating[1]MS10-034
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2Remote Code ExecutionCriticalMS10-034
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2Remote Code ExecutionCriticalMS10-034
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems and Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2**Remote Code ExecutionModerateMS10-034
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2**Remote Code ExecutionModerateMS10-034
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2NoneNo severity rating[1]MS10-034
Windows 7 for 32-bit SystemsRemote Code ExecutionCriticalMS10-034
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1Remote Code ExecutionCriticalNone
Windows 7 for x64-based SystemsRemote Code ExecutionCriticalMS10-034
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1Remote Code ExecutionCriticalNone
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems**Remote Code ExecutionModerateMS10-034
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1**Remote Code ExecutionModerateNone
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based SystemsRemote Code ExecutionModerateMS10-034
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1Remote Code ExecutionModerateNone

[1]The vulnerabilities do not affect this specific operating system. However, the available updates that set kill bits for third-party controls apply to several operating systems, including this one. For more information, see the subsection, "Third-Party Kill Bits," in the Vulnerability Information section.

**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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers

Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 Developer Tools Vulnerability - CVE-2010-0811

Microsoft WMITools ActiveX Control Vulnerability - CVE-2010-3973

Microsoft Windows Messenger ActiveX Control Vulnerability - CVE-2011-1243

Third-Party Kill Bits

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:

  • Chris Ries of Carnegie Mellon University Information Security Office for reporting the Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 Developer Tools Vulnerability (CVE-2010-0811)
  • Brian Gorenc of TippingPoint's DVLabs for working with us on the Microsoft WMITools ActiveX Control Vulnerability (CVE-2010-3973)
  • RadLSneak, working with iSIGHT Partners Global Vulnerability Partnership, for reporting the Microsoft Windows Messenger ActiveX Control Vulnerability (CVE-2011-1243)

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 (April 12, 2011): Bulletin published.
  • V1.1 (July 27, 2011): Added class identifiers for the Microsoft WMITools ActiveX Control described in this bulletin's vulnerability section for CVE-2010-3973. This is an informational change only. Customers who have already applied the "Prevent COM objects from running in Internet Explorer" workaround for this vulnerability should reapply this workaround with the additional class identifiers.