Microsoft Vulnerability Research Advisory MSVR13-001

Vulnerability in Lenovo ThinkPad Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Software Could Allow Arbitrary Code Execution

Published: January 15, 2013

Version: 1.0

Overview

Executive Summary

Microsoft is providing notification of the discovery and remediation of a vulnerability affecting Lenovo ThinkPad Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Software version 6.4.0.2900 and earlier versions. Microsoft discovered and disclosed the vulnerability under coordinated vulnerability disclosure to the affected vendor, Lenovo. Lenovo has remediated the vulnerability in their software.

A vulnerability exists in the way that the Lenovo Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Software handles the loading of DLL files. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the security context of the current user. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

Microsoft Vulnerability Research reported this issue to and coordinated with Lenovo to ensure remediation of this issue. The vulnerability has been assigned the entry, CVE-2013-1361, in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list.

For more information about the update from Lenovo, see the download drivers and software detail page for Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Software for Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit), Vista (32-bit, 64-bit) - ThinkPad.

Mitigating Factors

• For an attack to be successful, a user must visit an untrusted remote file system location or WebDAV share and open a document from this location that is then loaded by a vulnerable application.
• The file sharing protocol SMB is often disabled on the perimeter firewall. This limits the possible attack vectors for this vulnerability.

Advisory Details

Purpose and Recommendation

Purpose of Advisory: To notify users of a vulnerability and its remediation.

Advisory Status: Advisory published.

Recommendation: Review the Suggested Actions section and configure as appropriate.

Issue References

For more information about this issue, see the following references:

Affected and Non-Affected Software

This advisory discusses the following software:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scope of this advisory?
This advisory is part of a coordinated release with affected vendors to inform customers of a security issue that may affect their systems.

Is this a security vulnerability that requires Microsoft to issue a security update?
No. This vulnerability has been fixed via an update from the affected third-party vendors. The update remediates the software listed in the table, Affected Software.

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability.

What causes the vulnerability?
This vulnerability is caused by the way that the Lenovo software incorrectly restricts the path used for loading external libraries. This vulnerability is exploitable when Lenovo Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Software is used as an add-in to Microsoft Office.

What might an attacker use this vulnerability to do?
An attacker that successfully exploits this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the security context of 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. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could convince a user to open a legitimate Office file that is located in the same network directory as a specially crafted dynamic link library (DLL) file. Then, while opening the legitimate file, the Lenovo Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Software add-in to Microsoft Office could attempt to load the DLL file and execute any code it contained.

In an email attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending a legitimate Office file attachment to a user, convincing the user to place the attachment into a directory containing a specially crafted DLL file, and convincing the user to open the legitimate file. Then, while opening the legitimate file, the Lenovo Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Software add-in to Microsoft Office could attempt to load the DLL file and execute any code it contained.

In a network attack scenario, an attacker could place a legitimate Office file and a specially crafted DLL file in a network share, a UNC, or WebDAV location and then convince the user to open the file. Then, while opening the legitimate file, the Lenovo Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Software add-in to Microsoft Office could attempt to load the DLL file and execute any code it contained.

Suggested Actions

Update to the latest version of Lenovo Thinkpad Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Software.

Other Information

Acknowledgments

Microsoft thanks the following:

• Haifei Li of Microsoft, and Lenovo for working toward a resolution

Disclaimer

The information provided in this advisory 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 15, 2013): Advisory published.

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