Microsoft Security Bulletin MS15-019 - Critical
Vulnerability in VBScript Scripting Engine Could Allow Remote Code Execution (3040297)
Published: March 10, 2015
Version: 1.0
Executive Summary
This security update resolves a vulnerability in the VBScript scripting engine in Microsoft Windows. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user visits a specially crafted website. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability 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 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 affected versions of the VBScript scripting engine on affected Windows clients and Moderate for affected versions of the VBScript scripting engine on affected Windows servers. For more information, see the Affected Software section.
The security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying how the VBScript scripting engine handles objects in memory. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Vulnerability Information section.
For more information about this update, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 3040297.
Affected Software
The following versions of VBScript are affected by the vulnerability discussed in this bulletin. Earlier versions or editions that are not listed are either past their support life cycle or are not affected. The following affected software apply to systems with Internet Explorer 7 or earlier installed and to systems without Internet Explorer installed. Customers with systems running Internet Explorer 8 or later should apply Internet Explorer Cumulative Update 3008923 (MS15-018), which also addresses the vulnerability discussed in this bulletin.
Affected Software
| Operating System | Component | Maximum Security Impact | Aggregate Severity Rating | Updates Replaced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Server 2003 | ||||
| Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 | VBScript 5.6 (3030403) | Remote Code Execution | Moderate | 3012168 in MS14-084 |
| Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 | VBScript 5.7 (3030398) | Remote Code Execution | Moderate | 3012172 in MS14-084 |
| Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 | VBScript 5.6 (3030403) | Remote Code Execution | Moderate | 3012168 in MS14-084 |
| Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 | VBScript 5.7 (3030398) | Remote Code Execution | Moderate | 3012172 in MS14-084 |
| Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems | VBScript 5.6 (3030403) | Remote Code Execution | Moderate | 3012168 in MS14-084 |
| Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems | VBScript 5.7 (3030398) | Remote Code Execution | Moderate | 3012172 in MS14-084 |
| Windows Vista | ||||
| Windows Vista Service Pack 2 | VBScript 5.7 (3030398) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | 3012172 in MS14-084 |
| Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 | VBScript 5.7 (3030398) | Remote Code Execution | Critical | 3012172 in MS14-084 |
| Windows Server 2008 | ||||
| Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 | VBScript 5.7 (3030398) | Remote Code Execution | Moderate | 3012172 in MS14-084 |
| Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 | VBScript 5.7 (3030398) | Remote Code Execution | Moderate | 3012172 in MS14-084 |
| Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2 | VBScript 5.7 (3030398) | Remote Code Execution | Moderate | 3012172 in MS14-084 |
| Server Core installation | ||||
| Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) | VBScript 5.7 (3030398) | Remote Code Execution | Moderate | 3012172 in MS14-084 |
| Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) | VBScript 5.7 (3030398) | Remote Code Execution | Moderate | 3012172 in MS14-084 |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation) | VBScript 5.8 (3030630) | Remote Code Execution | Moderate | 3012176 in MS14-084 |
Note An update for VBScript 5.12 is available for Windows Technical Preview and Windows Server Technical Preview and is provided via Internet Explorer Cumulative Update 3032359 (MS15-018). Customer who are running Preview editions are encouraged to apply the update, which is available via Windows Update.
Update FAQ
How do I determine which version of the VBScript scripting engine is installed on my system?
The VBScript scripting engine is installed with supported releases of Microsoft Windows. In addition, installing a newer version of Internet Explorer on a system can change the version of the VBScript scripting engine that is installed.
To determine which version of the VBScript scripting engine is installed on your system, perform the following steps:
- Open Windows Explorer.
- Navigate to the %systemroot%\system32 directory.
- Right-click vbscript.dll, select Properties, and then click the Details.
The version number is listed in the File Version field. If your file version starts with 5.8, for example 5.8.7600.16385, then VBScript 5.8 is installed on your system.
Once I know the version of the VBScript scripting engine installed on my system, where do I get the update?
The affected software in this bulletin apply to systems without Internet Explorer installed and to systems with Internet Explorer 8 or earlier versions installed. Customers with systems running Internet Explorer 9 or later should apply the Internet Explorer Cumulative Update (MS15-018), which also addresses the vulnerability discussed in this bulletin.
The following table summarizes which bulletin provides the update by version of VBScript and Internet Explorer.
| Version | MS15-019 | MS15-018 |
|---|---|---|
| VBScript 5.6\ (Internet Explorer 6) | VBScript 5.6 \ (3030403) | Not applicable |
| VBScript 5.7\ (Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Explorer 7) | VBScript 5.7 \ (3030398) | Not applicable |
| VBScript 5.8\ (Internet Explorer 8) | VBScript 5.8 \ (3030630)\ (Windows Server core installation on Windows Server 2008 R2 only) | Internet Explorer 8 \ (3032359) |
| VBScript 5.8\ (Internet Explorer 9) | Not applicable | Internet Explorer 9 \ (3032359) |
| VBScript 5.8\ (Internet Explorer 10) | Not applicable | Internet Explorer 10 \ (3032359) |
| VBScript 5.8\ (Internet Explorer 11) | Not applicable | Internet Explorer 11 \ (3032359) |
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.
| Vulnerability Severity Rating and Maximum Security Impact by Affected Software | ||
|---|---|---|
| Affected Software | VBScript Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2015-0032 | Aggregate Severity Rating |
| VBScript 5.6 (Internet Explorer 6) | ||
| VBScript 5.6 on Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 | Moderate Remote Code Execution | Moderate |
| VBScript 5.6 on Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 | Moderate Remote Code Execution | Moderate |
| VBScript 5.6 on Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems | Moderate Remote Code Execution | Moderate |
| VBScript 5.7 (Internet Explorer 7) | ||
| VBScript 5.7 on Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 | Moderate Remote Code Execution | Moderate |
| VBScript 5.7 on Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 | Moderate Remote Code Execution | Moderate |
| VBScript 5.7 on Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems | Moderate Remote Code Execution | Moderate |
| VBScript 5.7 on Windows Vista Service Pack 2 | Critical Remote Code Execution | Critical |
| VBScript 5.7 on Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 | Critical Remote Code Execution | Critical |
| VBScript 5.7 on Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 | Moderate Remote Code Execution | Moderate |
| VBScript 5.7 on Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) | None No severity rating | None |
| VBScript 5.7 on Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 | Moderate Remote Code Execution | Moderate |
| VBScript 5.7 on Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation) | None No severity rating | None |
| VBScript 5.7 on Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2 | Moderate Remote Code Execution | Moderate |
| VBScript 5.8 (Internet Explorer 8) | ||
| VBScript 5.8 on Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation) | None No severity rating | None |
Vulnerability Information
VBScript Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2015-0032
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the VBScript engine, when rendered in Internet Explorer, handles objects in memory. In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability 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 this vulnerability.
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability 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 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. The update addresses the vulnerability by modifying how the VBScript scripting engine handles objects in memory.
Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure. When this security bulletin was originally issued, Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers.
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 10, 2015): Bulletin published.
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