Microsoft Security Bulletin MS17-006 - Critical

Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (4013073)

Published: March 14, 2017

Version: 1.0

Executive Summary

This security update resolves vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer. The most severe of the vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted webpage using Internet Explorer. An attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take 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 Internet Explorer 9 (IE 9) and Internet Explorer 11 (IE 11) on affected Windows clients, and Moderate for Internet Explorer 9 (IE 9), Internet Explorer 10 (IE 10), and Internet Explorer 11 (IE 11) on affected Windows servers. For more information, see the Affected Software section.

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

For more information about this update, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 4013073.

Affected Software

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 March bulletin summary.

Note Please see the Security Update Guide for a new approach to consuming the security update information. You can customize your views and create affected software spreadsheets, as well as download data via a restful API. For more information, please see the Security Updates Guide FAQ. As a reminder, the Security Updates Guide will be replacing security bulletins. Please see our blog post, Furthering our commitment to security updates, for more details.

Operating System Component Maximum Security Impact Aggregate Severity Rating Updates Replaced*
Internet Explorer 9
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9 (4012204) Remote Code Execution Critical 3203621 in MS16-144
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Microsoft Internet Messaging API (3218362) Information Disclosure Important 3193515 in MS16-126
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9 (4012204) Remote Code Execution Critical 3203621 in MS16-144
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Microsoft Internet Messaging API (3218362) Information Disclosure Important 3193515 in MS16-126
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9 (4012204) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3203621 in MS16-144
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Microsoft Internet Messaging API (3218362) Information Disclosure Important 3193515 in MS16-126
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9 (4012204) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3203621 in MS16-144
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Microsoft Internet Messaging API (3218362) Information Disclosure Important 3193515 in MS16-126
Internet Explorer 10
Windows Server 2012 Security Only Internet Explorer 10 (4012204) Remote Code Execution Moderate None
Windows Server 2012 Monthly Rollup[1] Internet Explorer 10 (4012217) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3205409
Internet Explorer 11
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Security Only Internet Explorer 11 (4012204) Remote Code Execution Critical None
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Monthly Rollup[2] Internet Explorer 11 (4012215) Remote Code Execution Critical 3212646
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Security Only Internet Explorer 11 (4012204) Remote Code Execution Critical None
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Monthly Rollup[3] Internet Explorer 11 (4012215) Remote Code Execution Critical 3212646
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Security Only Internet Explorer 11 (4012204) Remote Code Execution Moderate None
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Monthly Rollup[3] Internet Explorer 11 (4012215) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3212646
Windows 8.1 for 32-bit Systems Security Only Internet Explorer 11 (4012204) Remote Code Execution Critical None
Windows 8.1 for 32-bit Systems Monthly Rollup[3] Internet Explorer 11 (4012216) Remote Code Execution Critical 3205401
Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems Security Only Internet Explorer 11 (4012204) Remote Code Execution Critical None
Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems Monthly Rollup[3] Internet Explorer 11 (4012216) Remote Code Execution Critical 3205401
Windows Server 2012 R2 Security Only Internet Explorer 11 (4012204) Remote Code Execution Moderate None
Windows Server 2012 R2 Monthly Rollup[3] Internet Explorer 11 (4012216) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3205401
Windows RT 8.1 Monthly Rollup[2][3] Internet Explorer 11 (4012216) Remote Code Execution Critical 3205401
Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems[4] (4012606) Internet Explorer 11 Remote Code Execution Critical 3210720
Windows 10 for x64-based Systems[4] (4012606) Internet Explorer 11 Remote Code Execution Critical 3210720
Windows 10 Version 1511 for 32-bit Systems[4] (4013198) Internet Explorer 11 Remote Code Execution Critical 3210721
Windows 10 Version 1511 for x64-based Systems[4] (4013198) Internet Explorer 11 Remote Code Execution Critical 3210721
Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems[4] (4013429) Internet Explorer 11 Remote Code Execution Critical 3213986
Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems[4] (4013429) Internet Explorer 11 Remote Code Execution Critical 3213986
Windows Server 2016 for x64-based Systems[4] (4013429) Internet Explorer 11 Remote Code Execution Moderate 3213986

[1]Internet Explorer 9 users must also install security update 3218362 to be fully protected from CVE-2017-0008.

[2]This update is available via Windows Update.

[3]Beginning with the October 2016 release, Microsoft has changed 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.

[4]Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 updates are cumulative. The monthly security release includes all security fixes for vulnerabilities that affect Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016, in addition to non-security updates. The updates are available via the Microsoft Update Catalog. Please note that effective December 13, 2016, Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 details for the Cumulative Updates will be documented in Release Notes. Please refer to the Release Notes for OS Build numbers, Known Issues, and affected file list information.

*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).

Update FAQ

In addition to installing this update are there any further steps I need to carry out to be protected from any of the vulnerabilities discussed in this bulletin?
Yes. For Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 operating systems installing the 4012204 cumulative update by itself does not fully protect against CVE-2017-0008 — you must also install security update 3218362 in MS17-006 to be fully protected from the vulnerability.

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.

Where specified in the Severity Ratings and Impact table, Critical, Important, and Moderate values indicate severity ratings. For more information, see Security Bulletin Severity Rating System. Refer to the following key for the abbreviations used in the table to indicate maximum impact:

Abbreviation Maximum Impact
RCE Remote Code Execution
EoP Elevation of Privilege
ID Information Disclosure
SFB Security Feature Bypass
Vulnerability Severity Ratings and Impact
**CVE number ** Vulnerability title Internet Explorer 9 Internet Explorer 10 Internet Explorer 11 Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10
CVE-2017-0008 Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability Windows Clients: Important / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Clients: Important / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Clients: Important / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID
CVE-2017-0009 Microsoft Browser Information Disclosure Vulnerability Windows Clients: Important / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Clients: Important / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Clients: Important / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID
CVE-2017-0012 Microsoft Browser Spoofing Vulnerability Not applicable Not applicable Windows Clients: Important / Spoofing Windows Servers Low / Spoofing Windows Clients: Important / Spoofing Windows Servers Low / Spoofing
CVE-2017-0018 Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability Not applicable Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE
CVE-2017-0033 Microsoft Browser Spoofing Vulnerability Not applicable Not applicable Windows Clients: Important / Spoofing Windows Servers: Low / Spoofing Windows Clients: Important / Spoofing Windows Servers: Low / Spoofing
CVE-2017-0037 Microsoft Browser Memory Corruption Vulnerability Not applicable Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE
CVE-2017-0040 Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE
CVE-2017-0049 Scripting Engine Information Disclosure Vulnerability Not applicable Not applicable Windows Clients: Important / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Clients: Important / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID
CVE-2017-0059 Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability Windows Clients: Important / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Clients: Important / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID Windows Clients: Important / ID Windows Servers: Low / ID
CVE-2017-0130 Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE
CVE-2017-0149 Microsoft Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE Windows Clients: Critical / RCE Windows Servers: Moderate / RCE
CVE-2017-0154 Internet Explorer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Windows Clients: Important / EoP Windows Servers: Low / EoP

Vulnerability Information

Multiple Microsoft Browser Information Disclosure Vulnerabilities

Multiple information disclosure vulnerabilities exist because of how the affected components handle objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities could obtain information to further compromise a target system.

In a web-based attack scenario an attacker could host a website in an attempt to exploit the vulnerabilities. Additionally, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content could contain specially crafted content that could be used to exploit the vulnerabilities. However, in all cases an attacker would have no way to force users to view attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action. For example, an attacker could trick users into clicking a link that takes them to the attacker's site.

The security update addresses the vulnerabilities by correcting how the affected components handle objects in memory.

The following table contains links to the standard entry for each vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:

Vulnerability title CVE number Publicly disclosed Exploited
Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability CVE-2017-0008 Yes No
Microsoft Browser Information Disclosure Vulnerability CVE-2017-0009 No No
Internet Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability CVE-2017-0059 No No

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for these vulnerabilities.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for these vulnerabilities.

Multiple Microsoft Browser Memory Corruption Vulnerabilities

Multiple remote code execution vulnerabilities exist when affected Microsoft browsers improperly access objects in memory. These vulnerabilities could corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. An attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, the attacker could take control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit these vulnerabilities through affected Microsoft browsers, and then convince a user to view the website. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites, or websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements, by adding specially crafted content that could exploit the vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically by an enticement in an email or Instant Messenger message, or by getting them to open an attachment sent through email.

The update addresses these vulnerabilities by modifying how Microsoft browsers handle objects in memory.

The following table contains links to the standard entry for each vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:

Vulnerability title CVE number Publicly disclosed Exploited
Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability CVE-2017-0018 No No
Microsoft Browser Memory Corruption Vulnerability CVE-2017-0037 Yes No
Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability CVE-2017-0149 No Yes

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for these vulnerabilities.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for these vulnerabilities.

FAQ

I am running Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, or Windows Server 2012 R2. Does this mitigate these vulnerabilities?
Yes. By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. Enhanced Security Configuration is a group of preconfigured settings in Internet Explorer that can reduce the likelihood of a user or administrator downloading and running specially crafted web content on a server. This is a mitigating factor for websites that you have not added to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone.

Can EMET help mitigate attacks that attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities?
Yes. The Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) enables users to manage security mitigation technologies that help make it more difficult for attackers to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities in a given piece of software. EMET can help mitigate attacks that attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer on systems where EMET is installed and configured to work with Internet Explorer.

For more information about EMET, see the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit.

Multiple Microsoft Browser Spoofing Vulnerabilities

Multiple spoofing vulnerabilities exist when a Microsoft browser does not properly parse HTTP responses. An attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities could trick a user by redirecting them to a specially crafted website. The specially crafted website could spoof content or be used as a pivot to chain an attack with other vulnerabilities in web services.

To exploit these vulnerabilities, the user must click a specially crafted URL. In an email attack scenario, an attacker could send an email message containing the specially crafted URL to the user in an attempt to convince the user to click it.

In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a specially crafted website designed to appear as a legitimate website to the user. However, the attacker would have no way to force the user to visit the specially crafted website. The attacker would have to convince the user to visit the specially crafted website, typically by way of enticement in an email or Instant Messenger message, and then convince the user to interact with content on the website.

The update addresses the vulnerabilities by correcting how Microsoft browsers parse HTTP responses.

The following table contains links to the standard entry for each vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:

Vulnerability title CVE number Publicly disclosed Exploited
Microsoft Browser Spoofing Vulnerability CVE-2017-0012 Yes No
Microsoft Browser Spoofing Vulnerability CVE-2017-0033 Yes No

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for these vulnerabilities.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for these vulnerabilities.

Multiple Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerabilities

Multiple remote code execution vulnerabilities exist in the way that the JScript and VBScript engines render when handling objects in memory in Internet Explorer. These vulnerabilities could corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. An attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities could take control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit these vulnerabilities through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website. An attacker could also embed an ActiveX control marked "safe for initialization" in an application or Microsoft Office document that hosts the IE rendering engine. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites, and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements. These websites could contain specially crafted content that could exploit these vulnerabilities.

The update addresses these vulnerabilities by modifying how the JScript and VBScript scripting engines handle objects in memory.

The following table contains links to the standard entry for the vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:

Vulnerability title CVE number Publicly disclosed Exploited
Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability CVE-2017-0040 No No
Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability CVE-2017-0130 No No

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for these vulnerabilities.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for these vulnerabilities.

Scripting Engine Information Disclosure Vulnerability - CVE-2017-0049

An information disclosure vulnerability exists when the JScript scripting engine does not properly handle objects in memory. The vulnerability could allow an attacker to detect specific files on the user's computer. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that is used to attempt to exploit the vulnerability.

In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-generated content could contain specially crafted content that could exploit the vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force a user to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action. For example, an attacker could trick users into clicking a link that takes them to the attacker's site.

An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could potentially read data that was not intended to be disclosed. Note that the vulnerability would not allow an attacker to execute code or to elevate a user’s rights directly, but the vulnerability could be used to obtain information in an attempt to further compromise the affected system.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by helping to restrict what information is returned to affected Microsoft browsers.

The following table contains links to the standard entry for the vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:

Vulnerability title CVE number Publicly disclosed Exploited
Scripting Engine Information Disclosure Vulnerability CVE-2017-0049 No No

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.

Internet Explorer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability - CVE-2017-0154

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when Internet Explorer does not properly enforce cross-domain policies, which could allow an attacker to access information from one domain and inject it into another domain. The update addresses the vulnerability by helping to ensure that cross-domain policies are properly enforced in Internet Explorer.

In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that is used to attempt to exploit the vulnerability. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content could contain specially crafted content that could exploit the vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action. For example, an attacker could trick users into clicking a link that takes them to the attacker's site. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could elevate privileges in affected versions of Internet Explorer.

The vulnerability by itself does not allow arbitrary code to be run. However, the vulnerability could be used in conjunction with another vulnerability (for example, a remote code execution vulnerability) that could take advantage of the elevated privileges when running arbitrary code. For example, an attacker could exploit another vulnerability to run arbitrary code through Internet Explorer, but due to the context in which processes are launched by Internet Explorer, the code might be restricted to run at a low integrity level (very limited permissions). However, an attacker could, in turn, exploit this vulnerability to cause the arbitrary code to run at a medium integrity level (permissions of the current user).

The following table contains links to the standard entry for each vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:

Vulnerability title CVE number Publicly disclosed Exploited
Internet Explorer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability CVE-2017-0154 Yes 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 March 14, 2017: Bulletin published.

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