Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-137 - Important

Security Update for Windows Authentication Methods (3199173)

Published: January 10, 2017 | Updated: December 13, 2016

Version: 2.0

Executive Summary

This security update resolves vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows. The more severe of the vulnerabilities could allow elevation of privilege. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would first need to authenticate to the target, domain-joined system using valid user credentials. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could elevate their permissions from unprivileged user account to administrator. The attacker could then install programs; view, change or delete data; or create new accounts. The attacker could subsequently attempt to elevate by locally executing a specially crafted application designed to manipulate NTLM password change requests.

This security update is rated Important for all supported releases of Microsoft Windows. For more information, see the AffectedSoftwareand Vulnerability Severity Ratings section.

The security update addresses the vulnerabilities by:

  • Updating Windows NTLM to harden the password change cache.
  • Changing the way that LSASS handles specially crafted requests.
  • Correcting how Windows Virtual Secure Mode handles objects in memory.

For more information about the vulnerabilities, see the Vulnerability Information section.

For more information about this update, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 3199173.

Affected Software and Vulnerability Severity Ratings

The following software versions or editions are affected. Versions or editions that are not listed are either past their support life cycle or are not affected. To determine the support life cycle for your software version or edition, see Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

The severity ratings indicated for each affected software 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 November bulletin summary.

Operating System Virtual Secure Mode Information Disclosure Vulnerability CVE-2016-7220 Local Security Authority Subsystem Service Denial of Service Vulnerability CVE-2016-7237 Windows NTLM Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability CVE-2016-7238 Updates Replaced
Windows Vista
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (3198510) Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3081320 in MS15-121
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 (3198510) Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3081320 in MS15-121
Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (3198510) Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3081320 in MS15-121
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (3198510) Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3081320 in MS15-121
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2 (3198510) Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3081320 in MS15-121
Windows 7
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 (3197867) Security Only[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege None
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 (3197868) Monthly Rollup[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3185330
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (3197867) Security Only[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege None
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (3197868) Monthly Rollup[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3185330
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (3197867) Security Only[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege None
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (3197868) Monthly Rollup[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3185330
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 (3197867) Security Only[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege None
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 (3197868) Monthly Rollup[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3185330
Windows 8.1
Windows 8.1 for 32-bit Systems (3197873) Security Only[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege None
Windows 8.1 for 32-bit Systems (3197874) Monthly Rollup[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3185331
Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (3197873) Security Only[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege None
Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (3197874) Monthly Rollup[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3185331
Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2012 (3197876) Security Only[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege None
Windows Server 2012 (3197877) Monthly Rollup[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3185332
Windows Server 2012 R2 (3197873) Security Only[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege None
Windows Server 2012 R2 (3197874) Monthly Rollup[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3185331
Windows RT 8.1
Windows RT 8.1[1](3197874) Monthly Rollup[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3185331
Windows 10
Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems[2](3198585) Important  Information Disclosure Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3192440
Windows 10 for x64-based Systems[2](3198585) Important  Information Disclosure Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3192440
Windows 10 Version 1511 for 32-bit Systems[2](3198586) Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3192441
Windows 10 Version 1511 for x64-based Systems[2](3198586) Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3192441
Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems[2](3200970) Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3194798
Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems [2](3200970) Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3194798
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016 for x64-based Systems[2](3200970) Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3194798
Server Core installation option
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) (3198510) Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3081320 in MS15-121
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) (3198510) Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3081320 in MS15-121
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation) (3197867) Security Only[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege None
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (3197868) Monthly Rollup[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3185330
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) (3197876) Security Only[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege None
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation) (3197877) Monthly Rollup[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3185332
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) (3197873) Security Only[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege None
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation) (3197874) Monthly Rollup[3] Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3185331
Windows Server 2016 for x64-based Systems[2](Server Core installation) (3200970) Not applicable Important  Denial of Service Important  Elevation of Privilege 3194798

[1]This update is only available via Windows Update.

[2]Windows 10 updates are cumulative. The monthly security release includes all security fixes for vulnerabilities that affect Windows 10, in addition to non-security updates. The updates are available via the Microsoft Update Catalog.

[3]Beginning with the October 2016 release, Microsoft is changing the update servicing model for Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2. For more information, please see this Microsoft TechNet article.

*The Updates Replaced column shows only the latest update in any chain of superseded updates. For a comprehensive list of updates replaced, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog, search for the update KB number, and then view update details (updates replaced information is provided on the Package Details tab).

Note A vulnerability discussed in this bulletin affects Windows Server 2016 Technical Preview 5. To be protected from the vulnerability, Microsoft recommends that customers running this operating system apply the current update, which is available from Windows Update

Vulnerability Information

Virtual Secure Mode Information Disclosure Vulnerability CVE-2016-7220

An information disclosure vulnerability exists when Windows Virtual Secure Mode improperly handles objects in memory. A locally-authenticated attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could be able to read sensitive information on the target system.

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker could run a specially crafted application on the target system. Note that the information disclosure vulnerability by itself would not be sufficient for an attacker to compromise a system. However, an attacker could combine this vulnerability with additional vulnerabilities to further exploit the system. The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Windows Virtual Secure Mode handles objects in memory.

Vulnerability Title CVE number Publicly disclosed Exploited
Virtual Secure Mode Information Disclosure Vulnerability CVE-2016-7220 No No

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.

Local Security Authority Subsystem Service Denial of Service Vulnerability CVE-2016-7237

This security update corrects a denial of service vulnerability in the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) caused when an attacker sends a specially crafted request. A remote unauthenticated, attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could cause the target system to become non-responsive.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by changing the way that LSASS handles specially crafted requests. 

Vulnerability Title CVE number Publicly disclosed Exploited
Local Security Authority Subsystem Service Denial of Service Vulnerability CVE-2016-7237 No No

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.

Windows NTLM Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability CVE-2016-7238

This security update corrects a local elevation of privilege that exists when Windows fails to properly handle NTLM password change requests. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could elevate their permissions from unprivileged user account to administrator. The attacker could then install programs; view, change or delete data; or create new accounts.

To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would first need to authenticate to the target, domain-joined system using valid user credentials. The attacker could subsequently attempt to elevate by locally executing a specially crafted application designed to manipulate NTLM authentication requests.

The update addresses the vulnerability by updating Windows NTLM to harden the password change cache.

Vulnerability Title CVE number Publicly disclosed Exploited
Windows NTLM Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability CVE-2016-7238 No No

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.

Security Update Deployment

For Security Update Deployment information, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article referenced in the Executive Summary.

Acknowledgments

Microsoft recognizes the efforts of those in the security community who help us protect customers through coordinated vulnerability disclosure. See Acknowledgments for more information.

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 (January 10, 2017): Bulletin published.
  • V2.0 (December 13, 2016): Revised bulletin to announce the following updates have been rereleased with a detection change that addresses a supersedence issue that certain customers experienced when attempting to install the November Security Only updates.
  • These are detection changes only. There were no changes to the update files. Customers who have already successfully installed any of these updates do not need to take any action. For more information, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article for the respective update.
  • V2.1 (January 10, 2017): Updated the vulnerability description for CVE-2016-7238. This is an informational change only.

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