Article
06/08/2023

Security Bulletin

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-024 - Important

Vulnerability in Windows Shell Could Allow Remote Code Execution (839645)

Published: July 13, 2004 | Updated: August 10, 2004

Version: 1.4

Issued: July 13, 2004
Updated: August 10, 2004
Version: 1.4

Summary

Who should read this document: Customers who use Microsoft® Windows®

Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution

Maximum Severity Rating: Important

Recommendation: Customers should install the update at the earliest opportunity.

Security Update Replacement: This bulletin replaces several prior security updates. See the frequently asked questions (FAQ) section of this bulletin for the complete list.

Caveats: Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 839645 documents the currently known issues that customers may experience when they install this security update. The article also documents recommended solutions for these issues. For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 839645.

Tested Software and Security Update Download Locations:

Affected Software:

Microsoft Windows NT® Workstation 4.0 Service Pack 6a - Download the update
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Service Pack 6a - Download the update
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 6 - Download the update
Microsoft Windows NT® Workstation 4.0 Service Pack 6a and NT Server 4.0 Service Pack 6a with Active Desktop - Download the update
Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 2, Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 3, Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 - Download the update
Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 - Download the update
Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Service Pack 1 - Download the update
Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 - Download the update
Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 - Download the update
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 64-Bit Edition - Download the update
Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), and Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me) - Review the FAQ section of this bulletin for details about these operating systems.

The software in this list has been tested to determine if the versions are affected. Other versions either no longer include security update support or may not be affected. To determine the support lifecycle for your product and version, visit the following Microsoft Support Lifecycle Web site.

General Information

Executive Summary

Executive Summary:

This update resolves a newly-discovered, publicly reported vulnerability. A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Shell launches applications.

If a user is logged on with administrative privileges, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system, including installing programs; viewing, changing, or deleting data; or creating new accounts with full privileges. However, significant user interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer privileges on the system would be at less risk than users who operate with administrative privileges.

We recommend that customers consider applying the security update.

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers:

Vulnerability Identifiers	Impact of Vulnerability	Windows 98, 98 SE, Me	Windows NT 4.0	Windows 2000	Windows XP	Windows Server 2003
Windows Shell Vulnerability - CAN-2004-0420	Remote Code Execution\	Not Critical	Important	Important	Important	Important

This assessment is based on the types of systems that are affected by the vulnerability, their typical deployment patterns, and the effect that exploiting the vulnerability would have on them.

I'm still using Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Workstation Service Pack 6a or Windows 2000 Service Pack 2, but extended security update support ended on June 30, 2004. However, this bulletin has a security update for these operating system versions. Why is that?
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation Service Pack 6a and Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 have reached the end of their life cycles as previously documented, and Microsoft extended this support to June 30, 2004. However, the end-of-life for the extended support period occurred very recently. In this case, the majority of the steps that are required to address this vulnerability were completed before June 30, 2004. Therefore, we have decided to release security updates for these operating system versions as part of this security bulletin. We do not anticipate doing this for future vulnerabilities affecting these operating system versions, but we reserve the right to produce updates and to make these updates available when necessary.

It should be a priority for customers who have these operating system versions to migrate to supported versions to prevent potential exposure to future vulnerabilities. For more information about the Windows Product Life Cycle, visit the following Microsoft Support Lifecycle Web site. For more information about the extended security update support period for these operating system versions, visit the following Microsoft Product Support Services Web site.

Customers who require additional support for Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a must contact their Microsoft account team representative, their Technical Account Manager, or the appropriate Microsoft partner representative for custom support options. Customers without an Alliance, Premier, or Authorized Contract can contact their local Microsoft sales office. For contact information, visit the Microsoft Worldwide Information Web site, select the country, and then click Go to see a list of phone numbers. When you call, ask to speak with the local Premier Support sales manager.

For more information, see the Windows Operating System FAQ.

What updates does this release replace?
This security update replaces several prior security bulletins. The security bulletin IDs and operating systems that are affected are listed in the table below.

Bulletin ID	Windows NT 4.0	Windows 2000	Windows XP	Windows Server 2003
MS03-027	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Replaced	Not Applicable
MS02-014	Replaced	Replaced	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

Does this update contain any other changes to functionality?
Yes. In addition to the changes that are listed in the Vulnerability Details section of this bulletin, this update includes the following changes in functionality:

This update refines a change made in Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1, which prevents Web pages that are loaded while a user is in the Internet zone from navigating to the Local Machine zone. This change was introduced to mitigate the effects of potential new cross domain vulnerabilities. The changes introduced in this update are additional enhancements of the Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 restrictions.
Microsoft has also made another defense in depth change which limits the functionality of the Shell Automation Service ActiveX control (shell.application). This feature has been modified to provide greater security and to prevent potential malicious use. Microsoft considers this to be a defense in depth measure that we are taking to provide additional protection against malicious use.
An additional defense in depth change has been made in Windows 2000. By default, the Windows 2000 Telephony Service is no longer allowed to interact with the desktop. Restoring the ability of this service to interact with the desktop does not expose the affected system to any of the vulnerabilities described in this security bulletin. This feature has been modified to provide greater security and to prevent potential malicious use.

To restore the original behavior, administrators can edit the registry and set the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\TapiSrv\Type registry key to the value of 00000120 which represents the Enabled setting. The new value of 00000020 represents the Disabled setting.

How does the extended support for Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Millennium Edition affect the release of security updates for these operating systems?
Microsoft will only release security updates for critical security issues. Non-critical security issues are not offered during this support period. For more information about the Microsoft Support Lifecycle policies for these operating systems, visit the following Web site.

For more information about severity ratings, visit the following Web site.

Are Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, or Windows Millennium Edition critically affected by any of the vulnerabilities that are addressed in this security bulletin?
No. None of these vulnerabilities are critical in severity on Windows 98, on Windows 98 Second Edition, or on Windows Millennium Edition.

Can I use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) to determine if this update is required?
MBSA will determine if this update is required for Windows 2000 (all versions), Windows XP (all versions), and Windows 2003 (all versions). MBSA does not currently support the full detection of this update for the Windows NT 4.0 product (all versions). For more information about MBSA, visit the MBSA Web site.

Note After April 20, 2004, the Mssecure.xml file that is used by MBSA 1.1.1 and earlier versions is no longer being updated with new security bulletin data. Therefore, scans that are performed after that date with MBSA 1.1.1 or earlier will be incomplete. All users should upgrade to MBSA 1.2 because it provides more accurate security update detection and supports additional products. Users can download MBSA 1.2 from the MBSA Web site. For more information about MBSA support, visit the following Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 1.2 Q&A; Web site.

Can I use Systems Management Server (SMS) to determine if this update is required?
SMS uses MBSA for detection. SMS can help detect and deploy this security update for Windows 2000 (all versions), Windows XP (all versions), and Windows 2003 (all versions). This update is not detected by MBSA for the Windows NT 4.0 product (all versions). However, the file and registry key information that is available in this bulletin can be used to write specific file and registry key collection queries in SMS to detect vulnerable computers. For information about how to deploy updates not supported by MBSA with SMS, please review Knowledge Base article 867832. For information about SMS, visit the SMS Web site.

What component installs the Shell-Integrated Browser (Active Desktop) on my Windows NT 4.0 system?
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 can install this component. If you have Internet Explorer 4.0 installed on your system, you might have the Shell-Integrated Browser.

How do I know if I have Active Desktop installed on my Windows NT 4.0 system?
Microsoft Knowledgebase Article 216840 contains information on how to determine if you have Active Desktop installed on your system.

Why is there no update available for Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition with Active Desktop?
Active Desktop is not supported on Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition. For more information see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 186498.

Vulnerability Details

Windows Shell Vulnerability - CAN-2004-0420:

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows Shell launches applications. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability if a user visited a malicious Web site. If a user is logged on with administrative privileges, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. However, user interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability.

Mitigating Factors for Windows Shell Vulnerability - CAN-2004-0420:

In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker would have to host a Web site that contains a Web page that is used to exploit this vulnerability. An attacker would have no way to force users to visit a malicious Web site. Instead, an attacker would have to persuade them to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link that takes them to the attacker's site.
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same privileges as the user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer privileges on the system would be at less risk than users who operate with administrative privileges.
This vulnerability requires significant user interaction to be exploited.

Workarounds for Windows Shell Vulnerability - CAN-2004-0420:

None

FAQ for Windows Shell Vulnerability - CAN-2004-0420:

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is remote code execution vulnerability. If a user is logged on with administrative privileges, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system, including installing programs; viewing, changing, or deleting data; or creating new accounts with full privileges. However, user interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer privileges on the system would be at less risk than users who operate with administrative privileges.

What causes the vulnerability?
The Windows Shell application programming interface (API) supports the ability to associate a class identifier (CLSID) with a file type. An attacker could use a CLSID instead of the valid extension for a file type that could help persuade a user to run a malicious program.

What is Windows Shell application programming interface?
Windows Shell APIs are the programming interfaces that support extensions of the system’s operational environment. For more information about the Windows Shell application programming interface, visit the following Web site.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same privileges as the user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer privileges on the system would be at less risk than users who operate with administrative privileges.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to host a malicious Web site and then persuade a user to view that Web site. An attacker could also create an HTML e-mail message that has a specially crafted link, and then persuade a user to view the HTML e-mail message and then click the malicious link.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Workstations and terminal servers are primarily at risk. Servers are only at risk if users who do not have sufficient administrative credentials are given the ability to log on to servers and to run programs. However, best practices strongly discourage allowing this.

Are Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition or Windows Millennium Edition critically affected by this vulnerability?
No. Although Windows Millennium Edition does contain the affected component, the vulnerability is not critical. For more information about severity ratings, visit the following Web site.

What does the update do?
The update removes the ability to use a CLSID as a file type within Windows Shell.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
Yes. This vulnerability has been publicly disclosed. It has been assigned Common Vulnerability and Exposure number CAN-2004-0420.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had seen examples of proof of concept code published publicly but had not received any information indicating that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this security bulletin was originally issued.

Does applying this security update help protect customers from the code that has been published publicly that attempts to exploit this vulnerability?
Yes. This security update addresses the vulnerability that is currently being exploited. The vulnerability that has been addressed has been assigned the Common Vulnerability and Exposure number CAN-2004-0420.

Are there any other steps I should take in addition to applying this patch to help protect my computer?
Yes. In addition to applying this security update, it is recommended that users also install the ADODB.stream update that is referenced in Knowledge Base Article 870669. This update is available from Windows Update and from the Microsoft Download Center for all supported versions of Windows. While not a security patch, this update contains a change to the behavior of a Data Access component in Windows to help protect against attacks that are made by using Internet Explorer.

Specifically, it disables the ability for the ADODB.Stream object ability to function within Internet Explorer.

Security Update Information

Installation Platforms and Prerequisites:

For information about the specific security update for your platform, click the appropriate link:

Windows Server 2003 (all versions)

Prerequisites
This security update requires a release version of Windows Server 2003.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs:
The update for this issue will be included in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1.

Installation Information

This security update supports the following setup switches:

/help Displays the command line options

Setup Modes

/quiet Quiet mode (no user interaction or display)

/passive Unattended mode (progress bar only)

/uninstall Uninstalls the package

Restart Options

/norestart Do not restart when installation is complete

/forcerestart Restart after installation

Special Options

/l Lists installed Windows hotfixes or update packages

/o Overwrite OEM files without prompting

/n Do not backup files needed for uninstall

/f Force other programs to close when the computer shuts down

/extract Extracts files without starting setup

Note You can combine these switches into one command. For backward compatibility, the security update also supports the setup switches that the previous version of the setup utility uses. For more information about the supported installation switches, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article about the supported installation switches, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 262841.

Deployment Information

To install the security update without any user intervention, use the following command at a command prompt for Windows Server 2003:

Windowsserver2003-kb839645-x86-enu /passive /quiet

To install the security update without forcing the system to restart, use the following command at a command prompt for Windows Server 2003:

Windowsserver2003-kb839645-x86-enu /norestart

For information about how to deploy this security update with Software Update Services, visit the Software Update Services Web site.

Restart Requirement

In some cases, this update does not require a restart. The installer stops the required services, applies the update, and then restarts the services. However, if the required services cannot be stopped for any reason or if required files are in use, this update will require a restart. If this occurs, a message appears that advises you to restart.

Removal Information

To remove this update, use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel.

System administrators can also use the Spuninst.exe utility to remove this security update. The Spuninst.exe utility is located in the %Windir%\$NTUninstallKB839645$\Spuninst folder. The Spuninst.exe utility supports the following setup switches:

/?: Show the list of installation switches.

/u: Use unattended mode.

/f: Force other programs to quit when the computer shuts down.

/z: Do not restart when the installation is complete.

/q: Use Quiet mode (no user interaction).

File Information

The English version of this update has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition, Windows Server 2003 Web Edition, and Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition:

Date Time Version Size File name Folder
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
13-May-2004 00:07 6.0.3790.168 8,168,960 Shell32.dll RTMGDR
12-May-2004 23:29 6.0.3790.169 8,168,960 Shell32.dll RTMQFE

Windows Server 2003 64-Bit Enterprise Edition and Windows Server 2003 64-Bit Datacenter Edition:

Date Time Version Size File name Platform Folder
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
13-May-2004 00:09 6.0.3790.168 12,954,112 Shell32.dll IA-64 Rtmgdr
13-May-2004 00:07 6.0.3790.168 8,168,960 Wshell32.dll x86 Rtmgdr\Wow
12-May-2004 23:29 6.0.3790.169 12,955,136 Shell32.dll IA-64 Rtmqfe
12-May-2004 23:29 6.0.3790.169 8,168,960 Wshell32.dll x86 Rtmqfe\Wow

Note When you install this security update on Windows Server 2003 or on Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003, the installer checks to see if any of the files that are being updated on your system have previously been updated by a Microsoft hotfix. If you have previously installed a hotfix to update one of these files, the installer copies the RTMQFE files to your system. Otherwise, the installer copies the RTMGDR files to your system. For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824994.

Verifying Update Installation

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer

To verify that a security update is installed on an affected system, you may be able to use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) tool. This tool allows administrators to scan local and remote systems for missing security updates and for common security misconfigurations. For more information about MBSA, visit the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer Web site.
File Version Verification

Note Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.
1. Click Start, and then click Search.
2. In the Search Results pane, click All files and folders under Search Companion.
3. In the All or part of the file name box, type a file name from the appropriate file information table, and then click Search.
4. In the list of files, right-click a file name from the appropriate file information table, and then click Properties.
  
  Note Depending on the version of the operating system or programs installed, some of the files that are listed in the file information table may not be installed.
5. On the Version tab, determine the version of the file that is installed on your computer by comparing it to the version that is documented in the appropriate file information table.
  
  Note Attributes other than file version may change during installation. Comparing other file attributes to the information in the file information table is not a supported method of verifying the update installation. Also, in certain cases, files may be renamed during installation. If the file or version information is not present, use one of the other available methods to verify update installation.
Registry Key Verification

You may also be able to verify the files that this security update has installed by reviewing the following registry keys.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows Server 2003\SP1\KB839645\Filelist

Note This registry key may not contain a complete list of installed files. Also, this registry key may not be created correctly if an administrator or an OEM integrates or slipstreams the 839645 security update into the Windows installation source files.

Windows XP (all versions)

Note For Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003, this security update is the same as the Windows Server 2003 64-Bit Edition security update.

Prerequisites
This security update requires the release version of Windows XP or Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1). For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 322389.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs:
The update for this issue will be included in Windows XP Service Pack 2.

Installation Information

This security update supports the following setup switches:

/help Displays the command line options

Setup Modes

/quiet Quiet mode (no user interaction or display)

/passive Unattended mode (progress bar only)

/uninstall Uninstalls the package

Restart Options

/norestart Do not restart when installation is complete

/forcerestart Restart after installation

Special Options

/l Lists installed Windows hotfixes or update packages

/o Overwrite OEM files without prompting

/n Do not backup files needed for uninstall

/f Force other programs to close when the computer shuts down

/extract Extracts files without starting setup

Deployment Information

To install the security update without any user intervention, use the following command at a command prompt for Windows XP:

Windowsxp-kb839645-x86-enu /passive /quiet

To install the security update without forcing the system to restart, use the following command at a command prompt for Windows XP:

Windowsxp-kb839645-x86-enu /norestart

For more information about how to deploy this security update with Software Update Services, visit the Software Update Services Web site.

Restart Requirement

Removal Information

To remove this security update, use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel.

System administrators can also use the Spuninst.exe utility to remove this security update. The Spuninst.exe is located in the %Windir%\$NTUninstallKB839645$\Spuninst folder. The Spuninst.exe utility supports the following setup switches:

/?: Show the list of installation switches.

/u: Use unattended mode.

/f: Force other programs to quit when the computer shuts down.

/z: Do not restart when the installation is complete.

/q: Use Quiet mode (no user interaction).

File Information

Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 1, Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, and Windows XP Media Center Edition:

Date Time Version Size File name Folder
-----------------------------------------------------------------
10-Jun-2004 19:50 6.0.2600.151 8,226,304 Shell32.dll SP1
17-Apr-2004 00:56 6.0.2800.1515 82,432 Fldrclnr.dll SP2
10-Jun-2004 19:51 6.0.2800.1556 8,350,720 Shell32.dll SP2
08-Apr-2004 20:12 6.0.2800.1514 406,528 Shlwapi.dll SP2
17-Apr-2004 00:56 5.1.2600.1515 676,864 Sxs.dll SP2
11-Apr-2004 04:04 5.1.2600.1515 593,408 Xpsp2res.dll SP2
17-Apr-2004 00:56 6.0.2800.1515 921,600 Comctl32.dll SP2 \Asms\60\Msft\Windows\Common\Controls

Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Service Pack 1:

Date Time Version Size File name Platform
----------------------------------------------------------------------
17-Apr-2004 00:46 6.0.2800.1515 130,560 Fldrclnr.dll IA64
10-Jun-2004 19:58 6.0.2800.1556 14,386,176 Shell32.dll IA64
08-Apr-2004 20:05 6.0.2800.1514 1,112,576 Shlwapi.dll IA64
17-Apr-2004 00:46 5.1.2600.1515 2,018,816 Sxs.dll IA64
11-Apr-2004 03:33 5.1.2600.1515 592,896 Xpsp2res.dll IA64
11-Apr-2004 02:18 6.0.2800.1515 2,639,360 Comctl32.dll IA64
17-Apr-2004 00:56 6.0.2800.1515 82,432 Wfldrclnr.dll X86
10-Jun-2004 19:51 6.0.2800.1556 8,350,720 Wshell32.dll X86
08-Apr-2004 20:12 6.0.2800.1514 406,528 Wshlwapi.dll X86
17-Apr-2004 00:56 5.1.2600.1515 676,864 Wsxs.dll X86
11-Apr-2004 04:04 5.1.2600.1515 593,408 Wxpsp2res.dll X86

Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003:

Date Time Version Size File name Platform Folder
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
13-May-2004 00:09 6.0.3790.168 12,954,112 Shell32.dll IA-64 Rtmgdr
13-May-2004 00:07 6.0.3790.168 8,168,960 Wshell32.dll x86 Rtmgdr\Wow
12-May-2004 23:29 6.0.3790.169 12,955,136 Shell32.dll IA-64 Rtmqfe
12-May-2004 23:29 6.0.3790.169 8,168,960 Wshell32.dll x86 Rtmqfe\Wow

Notes The Windows XP and Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 versions of this security update are packaged as dual-mode packages, which contain files for both the original version of Windows XP and Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1). For more information about dual-mode packages, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 328848.

When you install the Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 security update, the installer checks to see if any of the files that are being updated on your system have previously been updated by a Microsoft hotfix. If you have previously installed a hotfix to update one of these files, the installer copies the RTMQFE files to your system. Otherwise, the installer copies the RTMGDR files to your system. For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824994.

Verifying Update Installation

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer

To verify that a security update is installed on an affected system, you may be able to use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) tool. This tool allows administrators to scan local and remote systems for missing security updates and for common security misconfigurations. For more information about MBSA, visit the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer Web site.
File Version Verification

Note Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.
1. Click Start, and then click Search.
2. In the Search Results pane, click All files and folders under Search Companion.
3. In the All or part of the file name box, type a file name from the appropriate file information table, and then click Search.
4. In the list of files, right-click a file name from the appropriate file information table, and then click Properties.
  
  Note Depending on the version of the operating system or programs installed, some of the files that are listed in the file information table may not be installed.
5. On the Version tab, determine the version of the file that is installed on your computer by comparing it to the version that is documented in the appropriate file information table.
  
  Note Attributes other than file version may change during installation. Comparing other file attributes to the information in the file information table is not a supported method of verifying the update installation. Also, in certain cases, files may be renamed during installation. If the file or version information is not present, use one of the other available methods to verify update installation.
Registry Key Verification

You may also be able to verify the files that this security update has installed by reviewing the following registry keys.

For Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 1, Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1, Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Service Pack 1, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, and Windows XP Media Center Edition:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows XP\SP2\KB839645\Filelist

For Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows Server 2003\SP1\KB839645\Filelist

Note These registry keys may not contain a complete list of installed files. Also, these registry keys may not be created correctly if an administrator or an OEM integrates or slipstreams the 839645 security update into the Windows installation source files.

Windows 2000 (all versions)

Prerequisites
For Windows 2000, this security update requires Service Pack 2 (SP2), Service Pack 3 (SP3), or Service Pack 4 (SP4).

The software that is listed has been tested to determine if the versions are affected. Other versions either no longer include security update support or may not be affected. To determine the support lifecycle for your product and version, visit the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Web site.

For more information about how to obtain the latest service pack, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 260910.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs:
The update for this issue will be included in Windows 2000 Service Pack 5.

Installation Information

This security update supports the following setup switches:

/help Displays the command line options

Setup Modes

/quiet Quiet mode (no user interaction or display)

/passive Unattended mode (progress bar only)

/uninstall Uninstalls the package

Restart Options

/norestart Do not restart when installation is complete

/forcerestart Restart after installation

Special Options

/l Lists installed Windows hotfixes or update packages

/o Overwrite OEM files without prompting

/n Do not backup files needed for uninstall

/f Force other programs to close when the computer shuts down

/extract Extracts files without starting setup

Deployment Information

To install the security update without any user intervention, use the following command at a command prompt for Windows 2000 Service Pack 2, Windows 2000 Service Pack 3, and Windows 2000 Service Pack 4:

Windows2000-kb839645-x86-enu /passive /quiet

To install the security update without forcing the system to restart, use the following command at a command prompt for Windows 2000 Service Pack 2, Windows 2000 Service Pack 3, and Windows 2000 Service Pack 4:

Windows2000-kb839645-x86-enu /norestart

For more information about how to deploy this security update with Software Update Services, visit the Software Update Services Web site.

Restart Requirement

Removal Information

To remove this security update, use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel.

/?: Show the list of installation switches.

/u: Use unattended mode.

/f: Force other programs to quit when the computer shuts down.

/z: Do not restart when the installation is complete.

/q: Use Quiet mode (no user interaction).

File Information

Note Date, time, file name, or size information could change during installation. See the Verifying Update Installation section for details about how to verify an installation.

Windows 2000 Service Pack 2, Windows 2000 Service Pack 3, and Windows 2000 Service Pack 4:

Date Time Version Size File name
---------------------------------------------------------
19-May-2004 23:10 5.0.3900.6922 2,358,544 Shell32.dll
16-May-2004 19:23 5.0.2195.6928 5,873,664 Sp3res.dll

Verifying Update Installation

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer

To verify that a security update is installed on an affected system, you may be able to use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) tool. This tool allows administrators to scan local and remote systems for missing security updates and for common security misconfigurations. For more information about MBSA, visit the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer Web site.
File Version Verification

Note Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.
1. Click Start, and then click Search.
2. In the Search Results pane, click All files and folders under Search Companion.
3. In the All or part of the file name box, type a file name from the appropriate file information table, and then click Search.
4. In the list of files, right-click a file name from the appropriate file information table, and then click Properties.
  
  Note Depending on the version of the operating system or programs installed, some of the files that are listed in the file information table may not be installed.
5. On the Version tab, determine the version of the file that is installed on your computer by comparing it to the version that is documented in the appropriate file information table.
  
  Note Attributes other than file version may change during installation. Comparing other file attributes to the information in the file information table is not a supported method of verifying the update installation. Also, in certain cases, files may be renamed during installation. If the file or version information is not present, use one of the other available methods to verify update installation.
Registry Key Verification

You may also be able to verify the files that this security update has installed by reviewing the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows 2000\SP5\KB839645\Filelist

Note This registry key may not contain a complete list of installed files. Also, this registry key may not be created correctly when an administrator or an OEM integrates or slipstreams the 839645 security update into the Windows installation source files.

Windows NT 4.0 (without Active Desktop)

Prerequisites
This security update requires Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Service Pack 6a (SP6a), Windows NT Server 4.0 Service Pack 6a (SP6a), or Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 6 (SP6).

For more information about obtaining the latest service pack, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 152734.

Installation Information

This security update supports the following setup switches:

/y: Perform removal (only with /m or /q )

/f: Force programs to quit during the shutdown process

/n: Do not create an Uninstall folder

/z: Do not restart when the update completes

/q: Use Quiet or Unattended mode with no user interface (this switch is a superset of /m )

/m: Use Unattended mode with a user interface

/l: List the installed hotfixes

/x: Extract the files without running Setup

Note You can combine these switches into one command. For more information about the supported installation switches, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 262841.

Deployment Information

To install the security update without any user intervention, use the following command at a command prompt for Windows NT Server 4.0:

Windowsnt4server-kb839645-x86-enu /q

For Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition:

Windowsnt4terminalserver-kb839645-x86-enu /q

For Windows NT Workstation 4.0:

Windowsnt4workstation-kb839645-x86-enu /q

To install the security update without forcing the system to restart, use the following command at a command prompt for Windows NT Server 4.0:

Windowsnt4server-kb839645-x86-enu /z

For Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition:

Windowsnt4terminalserver-kb839645-x86-enu /z

For Windows NT Workstation 4.0:

Windowsnt4workstation-kb839645-x86-enu /z

For more information about how to deploy this security update with Software Update Services, visit the Software Update Services Web site.

Restart Requirement

In some cases, this update does not require a restart. The installer stops the needed services, applies the update, and then restarts the services. However, if the required services cannot be stopped for any reason or if required files are in use, this update will require a restart. If this occurs, a message appears that advises you to restart.

Removal Information

To remove this security update, use the Add/Remove Programs tool in Control Panel.

System administrators can also use the Hotfix.exe utility to remove this security update. The Hotfix.exe utility is located in the %Windir%\$NTUninstallKB839645$ folder. The Hotfix.exe utility supports the following setup switches:

/y: Perform removal (only with the /m or /q switch)

/f: Force programs to quit during the shutdown process

/n: Do not create an Uninstall folder

/z: Do not restart when the installation is complete

/q: Use Quiet or Unattended mode with no user interface (this switch is a superset of the /m switch)

/m: Use Unattended mode with a user interface

/l: List the installed hotfixes

File Information

Note Date, time, file name, or size information could change during installation. See the Verifying Update Installation section for details about how to verify an installation.

Windows NT Workstation 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0:

Date Time Version Size File name
------------------------------------------------------
17-May-2004 15:36 4.0.1381.7267 1,281,808 Shell32.dll

Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition:

Date Time Version Size File name
-------------------------------------------------------
04-May-2004 15:22 4.0.1381.33564 1,301,264 Shell32.dll

Verifying Update Installation

File Version Verification

Note Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.
1. Click Start, and then click Search.
2. In the Search Results pane, click All files and folders under Search Companion.
3. In the All or part of the file name box, type a file name from the appropriate file information table, and then click Search.
4. In the list of files, right-click a file name from the appropriate file information table, and then click Properties.
  
  Note Depending on the version of the operating system or programs installed, some of the files that are listed in the file information table may not be installed.
5. On the Version tab, determine the version of the file that is installed on your computer by comparing it to the version that is documented in the appropriate file information table.
  
  Note Attributes other than file version may change during installation. Comparing other file attributes to the information in the file information table is not a supported method of verifying the update installation. Also, in certain cases, files may be renamed during installation. If the file or version information is not present, use one of the other available methods to verify update installation.
Registry Key Verification

You may also be able to verify the files that this security update has installed by reviewing the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Hotfix\KB839645\File 1

Note This registry key may not contain a complete list of installed files. Also, this registry key may not be created correctly when an administrator or an OEM integrates or slipstreams the 839645 security update into the Windows installation source files.

Windows NT 4.0 (with Active Desktop)

Prerequisites

This security update requires Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Service Pack 6a (SP6a), Windows NT Server 4.0 Service Pack 6a (SP6a) with Active Desktop.

For more information about how to determine if you have Active Desktop installed, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 216840.

For more information about obtaining the latest service pack, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 152734.

The security update supports the following setup switches:

/Q Specifies quiet mode, or suppresses prompts, when files are being extracted.

/Q:U Specifies user-quiet mode, which presents some dialog boxes to the user.

/Q:A Specifies administrator-quiet mode, which does not present any dialog boxes to the user.

/T: <full path> Specifies the target folder for extracting files.

/C Extracts the files without installing them. If /T: path is not specified, you are prompted for a target folder.

/C: <Cmd> Override Install Command defined by author. Specifies the path and name of the setup .inf or .exe file.

/R:N Never restarts the computer after installation.

/R:I Prompts the user to restart the computer if a restart is required, except when used with /Q:A.

/R:A Always restarts the computer after installation.

/R:S Restarts the computer after installation without prompting the user.

/N:V No version checking - Install the program over any previous version.

Note These switches do not necessarily work with all updates. If a switch is not available that functionality is necessary for the correct installation of the update. Also, the use of the /N:V switch is unsupported and may result in an unbootable system. If the installation is unsuccessful, you should consult your support professional to understand why it failed to install.

For additional information about the supported setup switches, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 197147.

Deployment Information

For example, to install the update without any user intervention and not force the system to restart, run the following command:

IE-KB839645-WindowsNT4sp6-x86-ENU.exe

For information about how to deploy this security update with Software Update Services, visit the Software Update Services Web site.

Restart Requirements

Removal Information

To remove this update, use the Add or Remove Programs tool (or the Add/Remove Programs tool) in Control Panel. Click Internet Explorer Q839645, and then click Change/Remove (or click Add/Remove).

System administrators can use the Ieuninst.exe utility to remove this update. This security update installs the Ieuninst.exe utility in the %Windir% folder. This utility supports the following setup switches:

/?: Show the list of supported switches

/z: Do not restart when the installation is complete

/q: Use Quiet mode (no user interaction)

For example, to remove this update quietly, use the following command:

c:\windows\ieuninst /q c:\windows\inf\q839645.inf

Note This command assumes that Windows is installed in the C:\Windows folder.

File Information

Date Time Version Size File name
--------------------------------------------------------
03-Mar-2003 17:24 6.0.2800.1172 33,792 Ieuninst.exe
09-Oct-2003 17:04 6.0.2800.1271 27,136 Ieupdate.exe
03-Jun-2004 17:21 5,629 Q839645.inf
03-Jun-2004 17:21 5,711 Q839645_d.inf
11-May-2004 18:26 4.72.3841.1100 1,770,720 Shell32.dll

Verifying Update Installation

File Version Verification

Note Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.
1. Click Start, and then click Search.
2. In the Search Results pane, click All files and folders under Search Companion.
3. In the All or part of the file name box, type a file name from the appropriate file information table, and then click Search.
4. In the list of files, right-click a file name from the appropriate file information table, and then click Properties.
  
  Note Depending on the version of the operating system or programs installed, some of the files that are listed in the file information table may not be installed.
5. On the Version tab, determine the version of the file that is installed on your computer by comparing it to the version that is documented in the appropriate file information table.
  
  Note Attributes other than file version may change during installation. Comparing other file attributes to the information in the file information table is not a supported method of verifying the update installation. Also, in certain cases, files may be renamed during installation. If the file or version information is not present, use one of the other available methods to verify update installation.
Registry Key Verification

You may also be able to verify the files that this security update has installed by reviewing the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{7ac88637-e78a-4036-a333-f65808b791bc}

Note Confirm that the IsInstalled DWORD value with a data value of 1 appears in the registry key.
Program Version Verification

Confirm that Q839645 is listed in the Update Versions field in the About Internet Explorer dialog box

Other Information

Obtaining Other Security Updates:

Updates for other security issues are available from the following locations:

Security updates are available from the Microsoft Download Center: You can find them most easily by doing a keyword search for "security_patch".
Updates for consumer platforms are available from the Windows Update Web site.

Support:

Customers in the U.S. and Canada can receive technical support from Microsoft Product Support Services at 1-866-PCSAFETY. There is no charge for support calls that are associated with security updates.
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.

Security Resources:

The Microsoft TechNet Security Web site provides additional information about security in Microsoft products.
Microsoft Software Update Services
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA)
Windows Update
Windows Update Catalog: For more information about the Windows Update Catalog, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 323166.
Office Update

Software Update Services:

By using Microsoft Software Update Services (SUS), administrators can quickly and reliably deploy the latest critical updates and security updates to Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003-based servers, and to desktop systems that are running Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional.

For more information about how to deploy this security update with Software Update Services, visit the Software Update Services Web site.

Systems Management Server:

Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) delivers a highly-configurable enterprise solution for managing updates. By using SMS, administrators can identify Windows-based systems that require security updates and to perform controlled deployment of these updates throughout the enterprise with minimal disruption to end users. For more information about how administrators can use SMS 2003 to deploy security updates, see the SMS 2003 Security Patch Management Web site. SMS 2.0 users can also use Software Updates Service Feature Pack to help deploy security updates. For information about SMS, visit the SMS Web site.

Note SMS uses the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer and the Microsoft Office Detection Tool to provide broad support for security bulletin update detection and deployment. Some software updates may not be detected by these tools. Administrators can use the inventory capabilities of the SMS in these cases to target updates to specific systems. For more information about this procedure, see the following Web site. Some security updates require administrative rights following a restart of the system. Administrators can use the Elevated Rights Deployment Tool (available in the SMS 2003 Administration Feature Pack and in the SMS 2.0 Administration Feature Pack) to install these updates.

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 (July 13, 2004): Bulletin published
V1.1 (July 13, 2004): Updated mitigating factors
V1.2 (July 13, 2004): Updated file manifest information for the Windows XP Packages
V1.3 (July 14, 2004): Updated file manifest information for the Windows 2003, Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0 Packages
V1.4 (August 10, 2004): Updated Security Update Replacement section to advise that this security update replaces the security update provided as part of MS02-014 on Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000. The Caveats section has also been updated to reflect the availability of a revised Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 839645. It documents the currently known issues that customers may experience when installing this security update. The article also documents recommended solutions for these issues. An additional change in functionally was also added to the FAQ section.

Built at 2014-04-18T13:49:36Z-07:00

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-024 - Important

Vulnerability in Windows Shell Could Allow Remote Code Execution (839645)

Summary

General Information

Executive Summary

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) related to this security update

Vulnerability Details

Windows Shell Vulnerability - CAN-2004-0420:

Mitigating Factors for Windows Shell Vulnerability - CAN-2004-0420:

Workarounds for Windows Shell Vulnerability - CAN-2004-0420:

FAQ for Windows Shell Vulnerability - CAN-2004-0420:

Security Update Information

Windows Server 2003 (all versions)

Windows XP (all versions)

Windows 2000 (all versions)

Windows NT 4.0 (without Active Desktop)

Windows NT 4.0 (with Active Desktop)

Other Information

Additional resources