MS12-042 - Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2711167)

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Details
Vulnerability name/brief description MS12-042 - Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2711167)
CVE/CAN name
Vendor threat level Important
SophosLabs threat level High
Solution MS12-042
Vendor description This security update resolves one privately reported vulnerability and one publicly disclosed vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. The vulnerabilities could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker logs on to an affected system and runs a specially crafted application that exploits the vulnerability. An attacker must have valid logon credentials and be able to log on locally to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability could not be exploited remotely or by anonymous users.
SophosLabs comments The more important vulnerability is CVE-2012-1515 which has been publicly disclosed. This vulnerability exists because Windows does not correctly protect BIOS ROM. Neither Microsoft nor Sophos at the present moment had received any information to indicate that the this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers. This may be subjected to change and Sophos will continue to monitor the situation.
SophosLabs testing result No SophosLabs testing result found
Currently known exploits No currently known exploits found
First sample seen No samples found
Discovery date 12 Jun 2012
Affected software Windows XP Service Pack 3
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
References
Credits
  • MAPP
Revisions
  • June 12th, 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:

Summary of the cause and potential effect of the vulnerability provided by the vendor.

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.