Security Bulletin

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS12-019 - Moderate

Vulnerability in DirectWrite Could Allow Denial of Service (2665364)

Published: March 13, 2012

Version: 1.0

General Information

Executive Summary

This security update resolves a publicly disclosed vulnerability in Windows DirectWrite. In an Instant Messenger-based attack scenario, the vulnerability could allow denial of service if an attacker sends a specially crafted sequence of Unicode characters directly to an Instant Messenger client. The target application could become unresponsive when DirectWrite renders the specially crafted sequence of Unicode characters.

This security update is rated Moderate for all supported editions of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 (except Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems), Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by changing the way that DirectWrite renders Unicode characters. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection for the specific vulnerability entry under the next section, Vulnerability Information.

Recommendation. The majority of customers have automatic updating enabled and will not need to take any action because this security update will be downloaded and installed automatically. Customers who have not enabled automatic updating need to check for updates and install this update manually. For information about specific configuration options in automatic updating, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 294871.

For administrators and enterprise installations, or end users who want to install this security update manually, Microsoft recommends that customers consider applying the security update 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 System Maximum Security Impact Aggregate Severity Rating Bulletins Replaced by this Update
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Denial of Service Moderate None
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Denial of Service Moderate None
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2** Denial of Service Moderate None
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2** Denial of Service Moderate None
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems and Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Denial of Service Moderate None
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems and Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Denial of Service Moderate None
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1** Denial of Service Moderate None
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 Denial of Service Moderate None

**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.

Non-Affected Software

Operating System
Windows XP Service Pack 3
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2

Where are the file information details?
Refer to the reference tables in the Security Update Deployment section for the location of the file information details.

I am running one of the operating systems that is listed in the affected software table. Why am I not being offered the update?
The update will only be offered to systems on which the affected component (DirectWrite) is installed.

Note On supported editions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, DirectWrite is not installed by default. On these operating systems, DirectWrite is installed as part of any of the following updates: Windows Graphics, Imaging, and XPS Library (KB971512), Platform Update Supplement (KB2117917), or the Update for DirectWrite and XPS (KB2505189). Note that these updates are offered through automatic updating.

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. For more information about the product lifecycle, visit the Microsoft Support Lifecycle website.

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. To determine the support lifecycle for your software release, see Select a Product for Lifecycle Information. For more information about service packs for these software releases, see Service Pack Lifecycle Support Policy.

Customers who require custom support for older software 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 website, select the country in the Contact Information list, 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 Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ.

Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers

The following severity ratings assume the potential maximum impact of the vulnerability. For information regarding the likelihood, within 30 days of this security bulletin's release, of the exploitability of the vulnerability in relation to its severity rating and security impact, please see the Exploitability Index in the March bulletin summary. For more information, see Microsoft Exploitability Index.

Affected Software DirectWrite Application Denial of Service Vulnerability - CVE-2012-0156 Aggregate Severity Rating
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Moderate \ Denial of Service Moderate
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Moderate \ Denial of Service Moderate
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2** Moderate \ Denial of Service Moderate
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2** Moderate \ Denial of Service Moderate
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems and Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Moderate \ Denial of Service Moderate
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems and Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Moderate \ Denial of Service Moderate
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1** Moderate \ Denial of Service Moderate
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 Moderate \ Denial of Service Moderate

**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.

DirectWrite Application Denial of Service Vulnerability - CVE-2012-0156

A denial of service vulnerability exists in the way that DirectWrite renders a specially crafted sequence of Unicode characters. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could cause a target application to stop responding.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2012-0156.

Mitigating Factors for DirectWrite Application Denial of Service Vulnerability - CVE-2012-0156

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.

Workarounds for DirectWrite Application Denial of Service Vulnerability - CVE-2012-0156

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.

FAQ for DirectWrite Application Denial of Service Vulnerability - CVE-2012-0156

What is the scope of the vulnerability? 
This is a denial of service vulnerability.

What causes the vulnerability? 
The vulnerability is caused when DirectWrite incorrectly renders a specially crafted sequence of Unicode characters in memory.

What is DirectWrite? 
DirectWrite is a full Unicode, resolution-independent, multi-format text rendering API that supports measuring, drawing, and hit-testing of text. For more information about DirectWrite, see the MSDN article, Introducing DirectWrite.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do? 
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could cause a target application such as Windows Live Messenger to stop responding.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability? 
In a web-based attack scenario, an unauthenticated attacker would have to host a website that contains a specially crafted sequence of Unicode characters. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content could contain specially crafted content that could be used to exploit this vulnerability. For the vulnerability to be exploited, the specially crafted sequence of Unicode characters would have to be parsed by an application that renders the web content using DirectWrite. The affected application could become unresponsive when DirectWrite renders the specially crafted sequence of Unicode characters. In any case, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit a website hosting the content that contained a specially crafted sequence of Unicode characters. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that directs them to the attacker's website.

In an Instant Messenger-based attack scenario, an unauthenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted sequence of Unicode characters directly to an Instant Messenger client such as Windows Live Messenger. The target application could become unresponsive when DirectWrite renders the specially crafted sequence of Unicode characters.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability? 
Workstations and terminal servers are primarily at risk of this vulnerability. Servers could be at more risk if administrators allow users to log on to servers and to run programs. However, best practices strongly discourage allowing this.

What does the update do? 
The update addresses the vulnerability by changing the way that DirectWrite renders Unicode characters.

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 CVE-2012-0156.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited? 
No. Microsoft has not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this security bulletin was originally issued

Update Information

Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance

Security Central

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 website provides additional information about security in Microsoft products.

Security updates are available from Microsoft Update and Windows 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 provides detection and deployment guidance for security updates. This guidance contains recommendations and information that can help IT professionals understand how to use various tools for detection and deployment of security updates. For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 961747.

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
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Yes
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Yes
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Yes
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Yes
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems and Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Yes
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems and Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Yes
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Yes
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 Yes

Note For customers using legacy software not supported by the latest release of MBSA, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server Update Services, please visit Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer and reference the Legacy Product Support section on how to create comprehensive security update detection with legacy tools.

Windows Server Update Services

Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) enables information technology administrators to deploy the latest Microsoft product updates to computers that are running the Windows operating system. For more information about how to deploy security updates using Windows Server Update Services, see the TechNet article, Windows Server Update Services.

Systems Management Server

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

Software SMS 2003 with ITMU Configuration Manager 2007
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Yes Yes
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Yes Yes
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Yes Yes
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Yes Yes
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems and Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Yes Yes
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems and Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Yes Yes
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Yes Yes
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 Yes Yes

Note Microsoft discontinued support for SMS 2.0 on April 12, 2011. For SMS 2003, Microsoft also discontinued support for the Security Update Inventory Tool (SUIT) on April 12, 2011. Customers are encouraged to upgrade to System Center Configuration Manager 2007. For customers remaining on SMS 2003 Service Pack 3, the Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates (ITMU) is also an option.

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. For more information about SMS scanning tools, see SMS 2003 Software Update Scanning Tools. See also Downloads for Systems Management Server 2003.

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

For more information about SMS, visit the SMS website.

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

Update Compatibility Evaluator and Application Compatibility Toolkit

Updates often write to the same files and registry settings required for your applications to run. This can trigger incompatibilities and increase the time it takes to deploy security updates. You can streamline testing and validating Windows updates against installed applications with the Update Compatibility Evaluator components included with Application Compatibility Toolkit.

The Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) contains the necessary tools and documentation to evaluate and mitigate application compatibility issues before deploying Windows Vista, a Windows Update, a Microsoft Security Update, or a new version of Windows Internet Explorer in your environment.

Security Update Deployment

Affected Software

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

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-KB2665364-x86.msu /quiet
For all supported x64-based editions of Windows Vista:\ Windows6.0-KB2665364-x64.msu /quiet
Installing without restarting For all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Vista:\ Windows6.0-KB2665364-x86.msu /quiet /norestart
For all supported x64-based editions of Windows Vista:\ Windows6.0-KB2665364-x64.msu /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 2665364
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.

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 the Start Search box.
    2. When the file appears under Programs, right-click the file name and click Properties.
    3. On the General tab, compare the file size with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
      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.
    4. You can also click the Details tab and compare information, such as file version and date modified, with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
      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.
    5. Finally, you can also click 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.

Windows Server 2008 (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 Server 2008:\ Windows6.0-KB2665364-x86.msu /quiet
For all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2008:\ Windows6.0-KB2665364-x64.msu /quiet
Installing without restarting For all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Server 2008:\ Windows6.0-KB2665364-x86.msu /quiet /norestart
For all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2008:\ Windows6.0-KB2665364-x64.msu /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 2665364
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.

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 the Start Search box.
    2. When the file appears under Programs, right-click the file name and click Properties.
    3. On the General tab, compare the file size with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
      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.
    4. You can also click the Details tab and compare information, such as file version and date modified, with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
      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.
    5. Finally, you can also click 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.

Windows 7 (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 7:\ Windows6.1-KB2665364-x86.msu /quiet
For all supported x64-based editions of Windows 7:\ Windows6.1-KB2665364-x64.msu /quiet
Installing without restarting For all supported 32-bit editions of Windows 7:\ Windows6.1-KB2665364-x86.msu /quiet /norestart
For all supported x64-based editions of Windows 7:\ Windows6.1-KB2665364-x64.msu /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 To uninstall an update installed by WUSA, use the /Uninstall setup switch or click Control Panel, click System and Security, and then under Windows Update, click View installed updates and select from the list of updates.
File Information See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2665364
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.

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.
/warnrestart:<seconds> When combined with /quiet, the installer will warn the user before initiating restart.
/promptrestart When combined with /quiet, the installer will prompt before initiating restart.
/forcerestart When combined with /quiet, the installer will forcefully close applications and initiate restart.
/log:<file name> Enables logging to specified file.
/extract:<destination> Extracts the package contents to the destination folder.
/uninstall /kb:<KB Number> Uninstalls the security update.

Note For more information about the wusa.exe installer, see "Windows Update Stand-alone Installer" in the TechNet article, Miscellaneous Changes in Windows 7.

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 the Search box.
    2. When the file appears under Programs, right-click the file name and click Properties.
    3. On the General tab, compare the file size with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
      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.
    4. You can also click the Details tab and compare information, such as file version and date modified, with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
      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.
    5. Finally, you can also click 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.

Windows Server 2008 R2 (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 x64-based editions of Windows Server 2008 R2:\ Windows6.1-KB2665364-x64.msu /quiet
For all supported Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2008 R2:\ Windows6.1-KB2665364-ia64.msu /quiet
Installing without restarting For all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2008 R2:\ Windows6.1-KB2665364-x64.msu /quiet /norestart
For all supported Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2008 R2:\ Windows6.1-KB2665364-ia64.msu /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 To uninstall an update installed by WUSA, use the /Uninstall setup switch or click Control Panel, click System and Security, and then under Windows Update, click View installed updates and select from the list of updates.
File Information See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2665364
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.

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.
/warnrestart:<seconds> When combined with /quiet, the installer will warn the user before initiating restart.
/promptrestart When combined with /quiet, the installer will prompt before initiating restart.
/forcerestart When combined with /quiet, the installer will forcefully close applications and initiate restart.
/log:<file name> Enables logging to specified file.
/extract:<destination> Extracts the package contents to the destination folder.
/uninstall /kb:<KB Number> Uninstalls the security update.

Note For more information about the wusa.exe installer, see "Windows Update Stand-alone Installer" in the TechNet article, Miscellaneous Changes in Windows 7.

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 the Start Search box.
    2. When the file appears under Programs, right-click the file name and click Properties.
    3. On the General tab, compare the file size with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
      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.
    4. You can also click the Details tab and compare information, such as file version and date modified, with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
      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.
    5. Finally, you can also click 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:

  • Khaled M. Salameh for reporting the DirectWrite Application Denial of Service Vulnerability (CVE-2012-0156)

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 websites 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 (1-866-727-2338). For more information about available support options, see Microsoft Help and Support.
  • International customers can receive support from their local Microsoft subsidiaries. For more information about how to contact Microsoft for support issues, visit the International Support website.

Disclaimer

The information provided in the Microsoft Knowledge Base is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Microsoft disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.

Revisions

  • V1.0 (March 13, 2012): Bulletin published.

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