Microsoft Security Bulletin MS14-016 - Important

Vulnerability in Security Account Manager Remote (SAMR) Protocol Could Allow Security Feature Bypass (2934418)

Published: March 11, 2014 | Updated: September 10, 2014

Version: 1.2

General Information

Executive Summary

This security update resolves one privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. The vulnerability could allow security feature bypass if an attacker makes multiple attempts to match passwords to a username.

This security update is rated Important for all supported editions of Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the manner in which Windows validates user lockout state. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection for the specific vulnerability entry under the next section, Vulnerability Information.

Recommendation. Most customers have automatic updating enabled and will not need to take any action because this security update will be downloaded and installed automatically. Customers who have not enabled automatic updating need to check for updates and install this update manually. For information about specific configuration options in automatic updating, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 294871.

For administrators and enterprise installations, or end users who want to install this security update manually, Microsoft recommends that customers apply the update at the earliest opportunity using update management software, or by checking for updates using the Microsoft Update service.

See also the section, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance, later in this bulletin.

Knowledge Base Article

• Knowledge Base Article: 2934418
• File Information: Yes
• SHA1/SHA2 hashes: Yes
• Known Issues: None

Affected and Non-Affected Software

The following software has been tested to determine which versions or editions are affected. Other versions or editions 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.

Affected Software

Non-Affected Software

Update FAQ

I am running Windows XP Service Pack 3, and I do not have Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) installed. Where is the update for my system? 
If you have Windows XP Service Pack 3 installed and you are not running ADAM, your system is not affected by this vulnerability and you will not be offered the update.

There are multiple update packages available for Window XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2, and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition. Do I need to install all the updates listed in the Affected Software table for this software? 
Yes, if you have ADAM installed, you need to install both update 2923392 and update 2933528. If you do not have ADAM installed, you only need to install update 2923392.

Do I need to install these security updates in a particular sequence? 
No. Multiple updates for one version of Window XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2, and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition software can be applied in any sequence.

I am running Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, or Windows Server 2012 R2. Why am I not being offered the update? 
The update will only be offered to systems running one of these operating systems if the following is true:

• On Windows Vista, if Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) is installed
• On Windows Server 2008, if Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) or Active Directory Lightweight Directory Service (AD LDS) is installed
• On Windows Server 2008 R2, if Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) is installed
• On Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2, If Active Directory is installed

I am using an older release of the software discussed in this security bulletin. What should I do?
The affected software listed in this bulletin has been tested to determine which releases are affected. Other releases are past their support life cycle. For more information about the product lifecycle, see the Microsoft Support Lifecycle website.

It should be a priority for customers who have older releases of the software to migrate to supported releases to prevent potential exposure to vulnerabilities. To determine the support lifecycle for your software release, see Select a Product for Lifecycle Information. For more information about service packs for these software releases, see Service Pack Lifecycle Support Policy.

Customers who require custom support for older software must contact their Microsoft account team representative, their Technical Account Manager, or the appropriate Microsoft partner representative for custom support options. Customers without an Alliance, Premier, or Authorized Contract can contact their local Microsoft sales office. For contact information, see the Microsoft Worldwide Information website, select the country in the Contact Information list, and then click Go to see a list of telephone numbers. When you call, ask to speak with the local Premier Support sales manager. For more information, see the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ.

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. For more information, see Microsoft Exploitability Index.

SAMR Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability - CVE-2014-0317

A security feature bypass vulnerability exists when the Security Account Manager Remote (SAMR) protocol incorrectly validates user lockout state.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2014-0317.

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.

FAQ

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a security feature bypass vulnerability.

What causes the vulnerability?
The vulnerability is caused when Windows incorrectly validates user lockout states.

What is SAMR?
The Security Account Manager Remote (SAMR) protocol (client-to-server) provides management functionality for an account store or directory containing users and groups. This protocol is useful for manipulating an account database consisting of users, groups, and other security principals.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could conduct brute force attacks against user passwords.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need a username and have network connectivity to a domain controller.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Servers with Active Directory installed, or servers and workstations that are running Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services or Active Directory Application Mode are at risk.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the manner in which Windows validates user lockout state.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this security bulletin was issued.

Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance

Several resources are available to help administrators deploy security updates.

• Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) lets administrators scan local and remote systems for missing security updates and common security misconfigurations.
• Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Systems Management Server (SMS), and System Center Configuration Manager help administrators distribute security updates.
• The Update Compatibility Evaluator components included with Application Compatibility Toolkit aid in streamlining the testing and validation of Windows updates against installed applications.

For information about these and other tools that are available, see Security Tools for IT Pros.

Security Update Deployment

Windows XP (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software.

Note The update for supported versions of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition also applies to supported versions of Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition.

Windows Server 2003 (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software.

Note The update for supported versions of Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition also applies to supported versions of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.

Windows Vista (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software.

Windows Server 2008 (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software.

Windows Server 2008 R2 (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software.

Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software.

Acknowledgments

Microsoft thanks the following for working with us to help protect customers:

• Andrew Bartlett of the Samba Team and Catalyst IT for reporting the SAMR Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability (CVE-2014-0317)
• Muhammad Faisal Naqvi of Pakistan for reporting the SAMR Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability (CVE-2014-0317)

Other Information

Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP)

To improve security protections for customers, Microsoft provides vulnerability information to major security software providers in advance of each monthly security update release. Security software providers can then use this vulnerability information to provide updated protections to customers via their security software or devices, such as antivirus, network-based intrusion detection systems, or host-based intrusion prevention systems. To determine whether active protections are available from security software providers, please go to the active protections websites provided by program partners, listed in Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP) Partners.

Support

How to obtain help and support for this security update

• Help installing updates: Support for Microsoft Update
• Security solutions for IT professionals: TechNet Security Troubleshooting and Support
• Help protect your computer that is running Windows from viruses and malware: Virus Solution and Security Center
• Local support according to your country: International Support

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 11, 2014): Bulletin published.
• V1.1 (March 20, 2014): Clarified in the vulnerability FAQ what systems are primarily at risk for CVE-2014-0317. Added Update FAQ to explain why users running Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, or Windows Server 2012 R2 might not be offered the update. These are informational changes only.
• V1.2 (September 10, 2014): Revised Update FAQ and entries in the Operating System column of the Affected Software table to further clarify what version of Active Directory must be installed on a system to be offered the update. These are informational changes only.

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