MS12-027 - Vulnerability in Windows Common Controls Could Allow Remote Code Execution

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Details
Vulnerability name/brief description MS12-027 - Vulnerability in Windows Common Controls Could Allow Remote Code Execution
CVE/CAN name
Vendor threat level Critical
SophosLabs threat level High
Solution MS12-027
Vendor description This security update resolves a privately disclosed vulnerability in Windows common controls. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user visits a website containing specially crafted content designed to exploit the vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit such a website. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes them to the attacker's website. The malicious file could be sent as an email attachment as well, but the attacker would have to convince the user to open the attachment in order to exploit the vulnerability.
SophosLabs comments The exploit centers around the MSCOMCTL.OCX file and in particular, targets the MSCOMCTL.TreeView, MSCOMCTL.ListView2, MSCOMCTL.TreeView2, and MSCOMCTL.ListView controls. A specially crafted website can make use of this exploit by attempting to instantiate these controls with specifically designed exploited code. The effects of this vulnerability can be mitigated by setting the kill bit for the MSCOMCTL.TreeView, MSCOMCTL.ListView2, MSCOMCTL.TreeView2, and MSCOMCTL.ListView controls in the registry.
SophosLabs testing result No SophosLabs testing result found
Currently known exploits
First sample seen 2012-04-10
Discovery date 10 Apr 2012
Affected software Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 3
Microsoft Office 2003 Web Components Service Pack 3
Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 2
Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 3
Microsoft Office 2010 (32-bit editions)
Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions)
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services Service Pack 4
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services Service Pack 4
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 4
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 4
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 4
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 3
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 3
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 3
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 for 32-bit Systems
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems
Microsoft BizTalk Server 2002 Service Pack 1
Microsoft Commerce Server 2002 Service Pack 4
Microsoft Commerce Server 2007 Service Pack 2
Microsoft Commerce Server 2009
Microsoft Commerce Server 2009 R2
Microsoft Visual FoxPro 8.0 Service Pack 1
Microsoft Visual FoxPro 9.0 Service Pack 2
Visual Basic 6.0 Runtime
References
Credits
  • MAPP
Revisions
  • April 10th, 2012 - Initial analysis written

Explanation of terms

Vulnerability Name/Brief Description:

Vendor identifier plus a brief description of the type of attack.

CVE/CAN Name:

Currently assigned CVE name. If a CVE name doesn't exist the CAN name will be used until a CVE has been assigned.

Vendor Threat Level:

Threat level assigned by the vendor

SophosLabs Threat Level:

Threat level assigned by SophosLabs

  • LOW RISK - There is little chance of this vulnerability being actively exploited by malware.
  • MEDIUM RISK - There is a possibility of this vulnerability being actively exploited by malware.
  • HIGH RISK - There is a strong possibility of this vulnerability being actively exploited by malware.
  • CRITICAL RISK - This vulnerability will almost certainly be actively exploited by malware.

Solution:

Vendor-supplied Patch identifier and recommended solution, or workaround if applicable.

Vendor Description:

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SophosLabs Comments:

SophosLabs' opinions and observations of the vulnerability in question.

SophosLabs Testing Result:

Details of completed lab testing, if applicable. Please note that the lab test environment may differ significantly from user environments.

Currently Known Exploits:

List of identities for known exploits, if applicable.

First Sample Seen:

Date of the first sample seen by SophosLabs.

Discovery Date:

Date of the earliest known publically disclosed advisory.

Affected Software:

Vulnerable platforms and software versions.