• Article

Security Bulletin

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS99-025 - Critical

Re-Release: Unauthorized Access to IIS Servers through ODBC Data Access with RDS

Published: July 19, 1999 | Updated: July 23, 1999

Version: 1.1

Originally Released as MS98-004: July 17, 1998

Re-Released as MS99-025: July 19, 1999

Revised: July 23, 1999

Summary

Microsoft has identified a vulnerability in Microsoft® Data Access Components (MDAC) that could allow a web site visitor to take unauthorized actions on a web site hosted using Internet Information Server. The vulnerability can be eliminated by reconfiguring or removing the affected components of MDAC.

This vulnerability originally was reported in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS98-004, issued July 17, 1998. It was re-released on July 19, 1999, to remind customers of the need to address the vulnerability. It was updated on July 23, 1999, to discuss the need to remove sample files that are affected by the vulnerability, and to clarify that MDAC 2.0 is affected even if deployed as a clean installation.

Frequently asked questions regarding this vulnerability can be found at https://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletin/fq99-025.mspx. The FAQ contains instructions for eliminating the vulnerability.

Issue

The RDS DataFactory object, a component of Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC), exposes unsafe methods. When installed on a system running Internet Information Server 3.0 or 4.0, the DataFactory object may permit an otherwise unauthorized web user to perform privileged actions, including:

  • Allowing unauthorized users to execute shell commands on the IIS system as a privileged user.
  • On a multi-homed Internet-connected IIS system, using MDAC to tunnel SQL and other ODBC data requests through the public connection to a private back-end network.
  • Allowing unauthorized accessing to secured, non-published files on the IIS system.

Affected Software Versions

The vulnerability affects the Microsoft Data Access Components, when installed on a web server running Internet Information Server 3.0 or 4.0. Specifically:

  • MDAC 1.5 and 2.0 are affected

  • MDAC 2.1 is affected if installed as an upgrade from a previous version of MDAC, rather than a clean installation

  • Any version of MDAC is affected if Sample Pages for RDS are installed.

    NOTE: Sample Pages for RDS are provided as part of the Windows 4.0 Option Pack and the MDAC 2.0 Software Development Kit. They are not installed by default in the Option Pack, but are installed by default in the MDAC 2.0 SDK.

    NOTE: MDAC 1.5 and IIS are installed by default installations of the Windows NT 4.0 Option Pack.

    NOTE: IIS can be installed as part of other Microsoft products, such as Microsoft BackOffice and Microsoft Site Server. MDAC can be installed as part of other Microsoft products, such as Visual C and Microsoft Office.

Vulnerability Identifier: CVE-1999-1011

Patch Availability

This vulnerability requires a configuration change to eliminate it, rather than a patch. Details of the specific changes needed are available at https://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq99-025.mspx.

More Information

Please see the following references for more information related to this issue.

Obtaining Support on this Issue

Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) is a fully supported set of technologies. If you require technical assistance with this issue, please contact Microsoft Technical Support. For information on contacting Microsoft Technical Support, please see </https:>https:.

Acknowledgments

Microsoft acknowledges Greg Gonzalez of ITE for bringing additional information regarding this vulnerability to our attention, and .Rain.Forest.Puppy for identifying the involvement of Sample Pages for RDS. Microsoft also acknowledges Russ Cooper (NTBugTraq) for his assistance around this issue.

Revisions

  • July 19, 1999: Bulletin Created as re-release of MS98-004.
  • July 23, 1999: Bulletin updated to discuss involvement of Sample Pages for RDS, and to clarify status of MDAC 2.0.

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