Security Update for Microsoft Graphics Component to Address Remote Code Execution (3104503)
Published: December 8, 2015 | Updated: February 9, 2016
Version: 1.1
Executive Summary
This security update resolves vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, .NET Framework, Microsoft Office, Skype for Business, Microsoft Lync, and Silverlight. The vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted document or visits a webpage that contains specially crafted embedded fonts.
This security update is rated Critical for:
All supported releases of Microsoft Windows
Affected versions of Microsoft .NET Framework on all supported releases of Microsoft Windows
Affected editions of Skype for Business 2016, Microsoft Lync 2013, and Microsoft Lync 2010
Affected editions of Microsoft Office 2007 and Microsoft Office 2010
For more information, see the Affected Software section.
The security update addresses the vulnerabilities by correcting how the Windows font library handles embedded fonts. For more information about the vulnerabilities, see the Vulnerability Information section.
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 December bulletin summary.
[2]Windows 10 updates are cumulative. In addition to containing non-security updates, they also contain all of the security fixes for all of the Windows 10-affected vulnerabilities shipping with the monthly security release. The updates are available via the Microsoft Update Catalog.
Note Windows Server Technical Preview 3 and Windows Server Technical Preview 4 are affected. Customers running these operating systems are encouraged to apply the update, which is available via Windows Update.
*The Updates Replaced column shows only the latest update in any chain of superseded updates.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).
*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).
[3]Windows 10 updates are cumulative. In addition to containing non-security updates, they also contain all of the security fixes for all of the Windows 10-affected vulnerabilities shipping with the monthly security release. The updates are available via the Microsoft Update Catalog.
*The Updates Replaced column shows only the latest update in a 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 on the Package Details tab).
*The Updates Replaced column shows only the latest update in a 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 on the Package Details tab).
Update FAQ
Why are some of the updates listed in this bulletin also denoted in other bulletins releasing this month?
Since bulletins are broken out by the security vulnerabilities they address, not by the update packages being released, it is possible for separate bulletins to reference the same update if the fixes for their respective vulnerabilities have been consolidated into a single update package. In such situations it is also possible for the vulnerabilities described in the one bulletin to have completely different severity and impact ratings than the vulnerabilities described in the other bulletin. This is frequently the case with cumulative updates for products such as Internet Explorer or Silverlight where singular updates contain fixes for very different security vulnerabilities being discussed in separate bulletins.
Note that identical update files shipping with multiple bulletins do not need to be installed more than once.
There are multiple update packages available for some of the affected software. Do I need to install all the updates listed in the Affected Software table for the software?
Yes. Customers should apply all updates offered for the software installed on their systems. If multiple updates apply, they can be installed in any order.
Do I need to install these security updates in a particular sequence?
No. Multiple updates for a given system can be applied in any sequence.
I am running Office 2010, which is listed as affected software. Why am I not being offered the update?
The update is not applicable to Office 2010 on Windows Vista and later versions of Windows because the vulnerable code is not present.
I am being offered this update for software that is not specifically indicated as being affected in the Affected Software and Vulnerability Severity Ratings table. Why am I being offered this update?
When updates address vulnerable code that exists in a component that is shared between multiple Microsoft Office products or shared between multiple versions of the same Microsoft Office product, the update is considered to be applicable to all supported products and versions that contain the vulnerable component.
For example, when an update applies to Microsoft Office 2007 products, only Microsoft Office 2007 may be specifically listed in the Affected Software table. However, the update could apply to Microsoft Word 2007, Microsoft Excel 2007, Microsoft Visio 2007, Microsoft Compatibility Pack, Microsoft Excel Viewer, or any other Microsoft Office 2007 product that is not specifically listed in the Affected Software table. Furthermore, when an update applies to Microsoft Office 2010 products, only Microsoft Office 2010 may be specifically listed in the Affected Software table. However, the update could apply to Microsoft Word 2010, Microsoft Excel 2010, Microsoft Visio 2010, Microsoft Visio Viewer, or any other Microsoft Office 2010 product that is not specifically listed in the Affected Software table.
For more information on this behavior and recommended actions, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 830335. For a list of Microsoft Office products an update may apply to, refer to the Microsoft Knowledge Base Article associated with the specific update.
Are there any prerequisites for any of the updates offered in this bulletin for affected editions of Microsoft Lync 2013 (Skype for Business)?
Yes. Customers running affected editions of Microsoft Lync 2013 (Skype for Business) must first install the 2965218 update for Office 2013 released in April, 2015, and then the 3039779 security update released in May, 2015. For more information about these two prerequisite updates, see:
Are there any related non-security updates that customers should install along with the Microsoft Live Meeting Console security update?
Yes, in addition to releasing a security update for Microsoft Live Meeting Console, Microsoft has released the following non-security updates for the OCS Conferencing Addin for Outlook. Where applicable, Microsoft recommends that customers install these updates to keep their systems up-to-date:
OCS Conferencing Addin for Outlook (32-bit) (3115870)
OCS Conferencing Addin for Outlook (64-bit) (3115870)
Why is the Lync 2010 Attendee (user level install) update only available from the Microsoft Download Center?
Microsoft is releasing the update for Lync 2010 Attendee (user level install) to the Microsoft Download Center only. Because the user level installation of Lync 2010 Attendee is handled through a Lync session, distribution methods such as automatic updating are not appropriate for this type of installation scenario.
Multiple remote code execution vulnerabilities exist when the Windows font library improperly handles specially crafted embedded fonts. An attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities could install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.
There are multiple ways an attacker could exploit the vulnerabilities, such as by convincing a user to open a specially crafted document, or by convincing a user to visit an untrusted webpage that contains embedded fonts. The security update addresses the vulnerabilities by correcting how the Windows font library handles embedded fonts.
The following tables contain links to the standard entry for each vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:
Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for these vulnerabilities.
Workarounds
Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for these vulnerabilities.
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 (December 8, 2015): Bulletin published.
V1.1 (February 9, 2016): Revised bulletin to correct the updates replaced for .NET Framework 3.5.1 installed on supported editions of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. This is an informational change only. There were no changes to the update files. Customers who have already successfully updated their systems do not need to take any action.