Microsoft Security Bulletin MS12-081 - Critical
Vulnerability in Windows File Handling Component Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2758857)
Published: | Updated:
Version: 1.1
General Information
Executive Summary
This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user browses to a folder that contains a file or subfolder with a specially crafted name. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. 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 Critical for all supported editions of Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2. Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, and Window RT are not affected by the vulnerability. 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 Windows handles files with specially crafted names. 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. Most 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. Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2758857 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, see Microsoft Support Lifecycle.
Affected Software
| Operating System | Maximum Security Impact | Aggregate Severity Rating | Updates Replaced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows XP | |||
| Windows XP Service Pack 3 (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | None |
| Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB935839 in MS07-035 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows Server 2003 | |||
| Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB935839 in MS07-035 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB935839 in MS07-035 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB935839 in MS07-035 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows Vista | |||
| Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2533623 in Security Advisory 2269637 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2533623 in Security Advisory 2269637 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows Server 2008 | |||
| Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2533623 in Security Advisory 2269637 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2533623 in Security Advisory 2269637 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2 (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2533623 in Security Advisory 2269637 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows 7 | |||
| Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2567680 in MS11-063 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2567680 in MS11-063 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2567680 in MS11-063 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2567680 in MS11-063 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 | |||
| Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2567680 in MS11-063 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2567680 in MS11-063 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2567680 in MS11-063 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2567680 in MS11-063 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Server Core installation option | |||
| Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2533623 in Security Advisory 2269637 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2533623 in Security Advisory 2269637 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems (Server Core installation) (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2567680 in MS11-063 replaced by KB2758857 |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation) (KB2758857) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2567680 in MS11-063 replaced by KB2758857 |
Non-Affected Software
| Software |
|---|
| Operating System |
| Windows 8 for 32-bit Systems |
| Windows 8 for 64-bit Systems |
| Windows Server 2012 |
| Windows RT |
| Server Core installation option |
| Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update
Vulnerability Information
Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers
Windows Filename Parsing Vulnerability - CVE-2012-4774
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:
- Lucas Apa of IOActive for reporting the Windows Filename Parsing Vulnerability (CVE-2012-4774)
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 go to the active protections websites provided by program partners, listed in Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP) Partners.
Support
How to obtain help and support for this security update
- Help installing updates: Support for Microsoft Update
- Security solutions for IT professionals: TechNet Security Troubleshooting and Support
- Help protect your computer that is running Windows from viruses and malware: Virus Solution and Security Center
- Local support according to your country: International Support
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 (December 11, 2012): Bulletin published.
- V1.1 (May 22, 2013): Added a link to Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2758857 under Known Issues in the Executive Summary.
