Security Bulletin

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-030 - Critical

Vulnerability in Bluetooth Stack Could Allow Remote Code Execution (951376)

Published: June 10, 2008 | Updated: June 19, 2008

Version: 2.0

General Information

Executive Summary

This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in the Bluetooth stack in Windows that could allow remote code execution. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

This security update is rated Critical for all supported editions of Windows XP and Windows Vista. 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 the Bluetooth stack handles a large number of service description requests. 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. Microsoft recommends that customers apply the update immediately.

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 System Maximum Security Impact Aggregate Severity Rating Bulletins Replaced by this Update
Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3 Remote Code Execution Critical None
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Remote Code Execution Critical None
Windows Vista and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Remote Code Execution Critical None
Windows Vista x64 Edition and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1 Remote Code Execution Critical None

Non-Affected Software

Operating System
Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems

Why was this security update reoffered on June 19, 2008?
Microsoft is reoffering the updates addressed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-030 - Vulnerability in Bluetooth Stack Could Allow Remote Code Execution (951376) because of issues affecting the Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3 update. The Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3 update offered in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-030 did not fully address the vulnerability discussed in the security bulletin. All other versions of the security update provide protection against the issues discussed in the security bulletin.

The purpose of reissuing this bulletin is to provide the updated version of the security update affecting Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3. Customers who are running Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3 should download and deploy this new security update. Customers running Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 and all supported versions of Windows Vista who have already applied these original security updates do not need to take any further action. The updated versions of the affected security updates will be made available through all of the same distribution channels as the original security updates, including Automatic Updates, Windows Update and Windows Server Update Services.

Where are the file information details?
The file information details can be found in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 951376.

I am using an older release of the software discussed in this security bulletin. What should I do?
The affected software listed in this bulletin have been tested to determine which releases are affected. Other releases are past their support life cycle. To determine the support life cycle for your software release, visit Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

It should be a priority for customers who have older releases of the software to migrate to supported releases to prevent potential exposure to vulnerabilities. For more information about the Windows Product Lifecycle, visit Microsoft Support Lifecycle. For more information about the extended security update support period for these software versions or editions, visit Microsoft Product Support Services.

Customers who require custom support for older releases 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 Microsoft Worldwide Information, select the country, and then click Go to see a list of telephone numbers. When you call, ask to speak with the local Premier Support sales manager. For more information, see the Windows Operating System Product Support Lifecycle FAQ.

Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers

Affected Software Bluetooth Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1453 Aggregate Severity Rating
Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3 Critical\ Remote Code Execution Critical
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Critical\ Remote Code Execution Critical
Windows Vista and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Critical\ Remote Code Execution Critical
Windows Vista x64 Edition and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1 Critical\ Remote Code Execution Critical

Bluetooth Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1453

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the Bluetooth stack in Microsoft Windows because the Bluetooth stack does not correctly handle a large number of service description requests. The vulnerability could allow an attacker to run code with elevated privileges. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete date; or create new accounts with full user rights.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2008-1453.

Mitigating Factors for Bluetooth Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1453

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:

  • This vulnerability only affects systems with Bluetooth capability.

Workarounds for Bluetooth Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1453

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality.

  • Prevent the computer from accepting new Bluetooth connections

Interactive Method

  1. On the Control Panel, select Classic View.
  2. Select Bluetooth Devices.
  3. Click the Options tab.
  4. Clear the Allow Bluetooth devices to find this computer checkbox.
  5. Click OK.

How to undo the workaround

  1. On the Control Panel, select Classic View.
  2. Select Bluetooth Devices.
  3. Click the Options tab.
  4. Select the Allow Bluetooth devices to find this computer checkbox.
  5. Click OK.

PowerShell Script Method

Run the following commands as an elevated administrator:

$BthDriverKeys = Get-ChildItem "HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\usb" -recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | where {$_.GetValue("Service") -eq "BTHUSB"}
foreach($Key in $BthDriverKeys) { Set-ItemProperty -Path $Key.OpenSubKey("Device Parameters").Name.Replace("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE", "HKLM:") -Name "Write Scan Enable" -Value 0 }

How to undo the workaround

Run the following commands as an elevated administrator:

$BthDriverKeys = Get-ChildItem "HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\usb" -recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | where {$_.GetValue("Service") -eq "BTHUSB"}
foreach($Key in $BthDriverKeys) { Set-ItemProperty -Path $Key.OpenSubKey("Device Parameters").Name.Replace("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE", "HKLM:") -Name "Write Scan Enable" -Value 3 }

  • Turn off and disable the Bluetooth driver

You can stop and disable the driver by using the following command at the command prompt (available in Windows XP and above, and in the Windows 2000 Resource Kit):

sc config bthport start= disabled

How to undo the workaround

You can re-enable the Bluetooth driver by using the following command at the command prompt (available in Windows XP and above and in the Windows 2000 Resource Kit):

sc config bthport start= demand

FAQ for Bluetooth Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1453

What is the scope of the vulnerability? 
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the Bluetooth stack in Microsoft Windows. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run code with elevated privileges. An attacker could then take complete control of an affected system.

What causes the vulnerability? 
The Windows Bluetooth Stack does not correctly handle a large number of service description requests.

What is Bluetooth? 
Bluetooth is an industry-standard protocol that enables wireless connectivity for computers, handheld devices, mobile phones, and other devices. Visit the MSDN Bluetooth article for more information.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do? 
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain complete control over the affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability? 
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to rapidly send a large number of specially crafted Service Discovery Protocol (SDP) packets to an affected system. The way that the system reacts to those packets would allow the attacker to gain complete control over the affected system.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability? 
All systems with Bluetooth enabled are at risk from this vulnerability.

What does the update do? 
The update removes the vulnerability by improving the way that the Bluetooth stack handles a large number of SDP packets.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed? 
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through responsible disclosure.

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

Update Information

Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance

Manage the software and security updates you need to deploy to the servers, desktop, and mobile systems in your organization. For more information see the TechNet Update Management Center. The Microsoft TechNet Security Web site provides additional information about security in Microsoft products.

Security updates are available from Microsoft Update, Windows Update, and Office Update. Security updates are also available from the Microsoft Download Center. You can find them most easily by doing a keyword search for "security update."

Finally, security updates can be downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The Microsoft Update Catalog provides a searchable catalog of content made available through Windows Update and Microsoft Update, including security updates, drivers and service packs. By searching using the security bulletin number (such as, “MS07-036”), you can add all of the applicable updates to your basket (including different languages for an update), and download to the folder of your choosing. For more information about the Microsoft Update Catalog, see the Microsoft Update Catalog FAQ.

Detection and Deployment Guidance

Microsoft has provided detection and deployment guidance for this month’s security updates. This guidance will also help IT professionals understand how they can use various tools to help deploy the security update, such as Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Office Update, the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA), the Office Detection Tool, Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS), and the Extended Security Update Inventory Tool. For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 910723.

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) allows administrators to scan local and remote systems for missing security updates as well as common security misconfigurations. For more information about MBSA, visit Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer.

The following table provides the MBSA detection summary for this security update.

Software MBSA 2.1
Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3 Yes
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Yes
Windows Vista and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Yes
Windows Vista x64 Edition and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1 Yes

For more information about MBSA 2.1, see MBSA 2.1 Frequently Asked Questions.

Windows Server Update Services

By using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), administrators can deploy the latest critical updates and security updates for Windows 2000 operating systems and later, Office XP and later, Exchange Server 2003, and SQL Server 2000. For more information about how to deploy this security update using Windows Server Update Services, visit the Windows Server Update Services Web site.

Systems Management Server

The following table provides the SMS detection and deployment summary for this security update.

Software SMS 2.0 SMS 2003 with SUSFP SMS 2003 with ITMU SCCM 2007
Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 No No Yes Yes
Windows Vista and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 No No See Note for Windows Vista below Yes
Windows Vista x64 Edition and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1 No No See Note for Windows Vista below Yes

For SMS 2.0 and SMS 2003, the SMS SUS Feature Pack (SUSFP), which includes the Security Update Inventory Tool (SUIT), can be used by SMS to detect security updates. See also Downloads for Systems Management Server 2.0.

For SMS 2003, the SMS 2003 Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates (ITMU) can be used by SMS to detect security updates that are offered by Microsoft Update and that are supported by Windows Server Update Services. For more information about the SMS 2003 ITMU, see SMS 2003 Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates. SMS 2003 can also use the Microsoft Office Inventory Tool to detect required updates for Microsoft Office applications. For more information about the Office Inventory Tool and other scanning tools, see SMS 2003 Software Update Scanning Tools. See also Downloads for Systems Management Server 2003.

System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007 uses WSUS 3.0 for detection of updates. For more information about SCCM 2007 Software Update Management, visit System Center Configuration Manager 2007.

Note for Windows Vista Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 with Service Pack 3 includes support for Windows Vista manageability.

For more information about SMS, visit the SMS Web site.

For more detailed information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 910723: Summary list of monthly detection and deployment guidance articles.

Security Update Deployment

Affected Software

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

Windows XP (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software. You can find additional information in the subsection, Deployment Information, in this section.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs The update for this issue will be included in a future service pack or update rollup
Deployment
Installing without user intervention For Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3:\ Windowsxp-kb951376-x86-enu /quiet
For Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2:\ WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-kb951376-x64-enu /quiet
Installing without restarting For Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3:\ Windowsxp-kb951376-x86-enu /norestart
For Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2:\ WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-kb951376-x64-enu /norestart
Update log file KB951376.log
Further information See the subsection, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance
Restart Requirement
Restart required? In some cases, this update does not require a restart. If the required files are being used, this update will require a restart. If this behavior occurs, a message appears that advises you to restart.
HotPatching Not applicable
Removal Information Use Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel or the Spuninst.exe utility located in the %Windir%$NTUninstallKB951376$\Spuninst folder
File Information See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 951376
Registry Key Verification For Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3:\ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows XP\SP4\KB951376\Filelist
For Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2:\ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows XP Version 2003\SP3\KB951376\Filelist

Deployment Information

Installing the Update

When you install this security update, the installer checks whether one or more 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, SP1QFE, or SP2QFE files to your system. Otherwise, the installer copies the RTMGDR, SP1GDR, or SP2GDR files to your system. Security updates may not contain all variations of these files. For more information about this behavior, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824994.

For more information about the installer, visit the Microsoft TechNet Web site.

For more information about the terminology that appears in this bulletin, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Switch Description
/help Displays the command-line options.
Setup Modes
/passive Unattended Setup mode. No user interaction is required, but installation status is displayed. If a restart is required at the end of Setup, a dialog box will be presented to the user with a timer warning that the computer will restart in 30 seconds.
/quiet Quiet mode. This is the same as unattended mode, but no status or error messages are displayed.
Restart Options
/norestart Does not restart when installation has completed.
/forcerestart Restarts the computer after installation and force other applications to close at shutdown without saving open files first.
/warnrestart[:x] Presents a dialog box with a timer warning the user that the computer will restart in x seconds. (The default setting is 30 seconds.) Intended for use with the /quiet switch or the /passive switch.
/promptrestart Displays a dialog box prompting the local user to allow a restart.
Special Options
/overwriteoem Overwrites OEM files without prompting.
/nobackup Does not back up files needed for uninstall.
/forceappsclose Forces other programs to close when the computer shuts down.
/log:path Allows the redirection of installation log files.
/integrate:path Integrates the update into the Windows source files. These files are located at the path that is specified in the switch.
/extract[:path] Extracts files without starting the Setup program.
/ER Enables extended error reporting.
/verbose Enables verbose logging. During installation, creates %Windir%\CabBuild.log. This log details the files that are copied. Using this switch may cause the installation to proceed more slowly.

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

Removing the Update

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Switch Description
/help Displays the command-line options.
Setup Modes
/passive Unattended Setup mode. No user interaction is required, but installation status is displayed. If a restart is required at the end of Setup, a dialog box will be presented to the user with a timer warning that the computer will restart in 30 seconds.
/quiet Quiet mode. This is the same as unattended mode, but no status or error messages are displayed.
Restart Options
/norestart Does not restart when installation has completed
/forcerestart Restarts the computer after installation and force other applications to close at shutdown without saving open files first.
/warnrestart[:x] Presents a dialog box with a timer warning the user that the computer will restart in x seconds. (The default setting is 30 seconds.) Intended for use with the /quiet switch or the /passive switch.
/promptrestart Displays a dialog box prompting the local user to allow a restart.
Special Options
/forceappsclose Forces other programs to close when the computer shuts down.
/log:path Allows the redirection of installation log files.

Verifying That the Update Has Been Applied

  • Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer

    To verify that a security update has been applied to an affected system, you may be able to use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) tool. See the section, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance, earlier in this bulletin for more information.

  • File Version Verification

    Because there are several editions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your system. 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 edition of the operating system, or the programs that are installed on your system, 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 system by comparing it to the version that is documented in the appropriate file information table. Note Attributes other than the 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 that the update has been applied. 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 registry keys listed in the Reference Table in this section.

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

Windows Vista (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software. You can find additional information in the subsection, Deployment Information, in this section.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs The update for this issue will be included in a future service pack or update rollup
Deployment
Installing without user intervention For all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Vista:\ Windows6.0-KB951376-x86 /quiet\ \ For all supported x64-based editions of Windows Vista:\ Windows6.0-KB951376-x64 /quiet
Installing without restarting For all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Vista:\ Windows6.0-KB951376-x86 /quiet /norestart\ \ For all supported x64-based editions of Windows Vista:\ Windows6.0-KB951376-x64 /quiet /norestart
Further information See the subsection, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance
Restart Requirement
Restart required? In some cases, this update does not require a restart. If the required files are being used, this update will require a restart. If this behavior occurs, a message appears that advises you to restart.
HotPatching Not applicable
Removal Information WUSA.exe does not support uninstall of updates. To uninstall an update installed by WUSA, click Control Panel, and then click Security. Under Windows Update, click View installed updates and select from the list of updates.
File Information See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 951376
Registry Key Verification Note: A registry key does not exist to validate the presence of this update.

Deployment Information

Installing the Update

When you install this security update, the installer checks whether one or more of the files that are being updated on your system have previously been updated by a Microsoft hotfix.

For more information about the terminology that appears in this bulletin, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Supported Security Update Installation Switches

Switch Description
/?, /h, /help Displays help on supported switches.
/quiet Suppresses the display of status or error messages.
/norestart When combined with /quiet, the system will not be restarted after installation even if a restart is required to complete installation.

Note For more information about the wusa.exe installer, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 934307.

Verifying That the Update Has Been Applied

  • Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer

    To verify that a security update has been applied to an affected system, you may be able to use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) tool. See the section, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance, earlier in this bulletin for more information.

  • File Version Verification

    Because there are several editions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your system. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

    1. Click Start and then enter an update file name in Start Search.
    2. When the file appears under Programs, right-click on the file name and click Properties.
    3. Under the General tab, compare the file size with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
    4. You may also click on the Details tab and compare information, such as file version and date modified, with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
    5. Finally, you may also click on the Previous Versions tab and compare file information for the previous version of the file with the file information for the new, or updated, version of the file.

Other Information

Acknowledgments

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

  • Tombkeeper of NSFocus and Sowhat of Nevis Labs, for helping with the update re-release for the Bluetooth vulnerability- (CVE-2008-1453).

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.

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 (June 10, 2008): Bulletin published.
  • V2.0 (June 19, 2008): Added "Why was this security update reoffered on June 19, 2008?" entry to the Update FAQ to advise customers running Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3 that a revised version of the security update is available.

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