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Vulnerability: MS10-025 - Vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Media Services Could Allow Remote Code Execution (980858)

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Details
Vulnerability name/brief description

Vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Media Services Could Allow Remote Code Execution (980858)

CVE/CAN name CVE-2010-0478
Vendor threat level Critical
SophosLabs threat level Medium
Solution

MS10-025

Vendor description This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Windows Media Services running on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if an attacker sent a specially crafted transport information packet to a Microsoft Windows 2000 Server system running Windows Media Services. Firewall best practices and standard default firewall configurations can help protect networks from attacks that originate from outside the enterprise perimeter. Best practices recommend that systems that are connected to the Internet have a minimal number of ports exposed. On Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Windows Media Services is an optional component and is not installed by default.
SophosLabs comments This vulnerability exists due to the way Windows Media Services (running on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Service Pack 4 platform) handles transport info network packets. The vulnerable code manifests itself in the Windows Media Unicast Service application (nsum.exe). This file is used by Windows Media Services in the distribution and publishing of streaming media content.

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to send a specially crafted transport-information-packet to a computer running Windows 2000 Server Service Pack 4 with the Windows Media Services enabled.

As this vulnerability was reported privately, information as to how to exploit it was drastically reduced. Moreover, the default installed option for Windows Media Services is off. In addition, corporate networks typically install firewalls which will stop any remote attacks that came from outside the firewall. As a result, the impact due to exploitation of this vulnerability is mitigated and unlikely to be high.
SophosLabs testing result N/A
Currently known exploits At the time of writing SophosLabs have not observed any malware attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Should this situation change samples will be analyzed and we will take action as necessary.
First sample seen N/A
Discovery date 13th April 2010
Affected software Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Service Pack 4
References http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS10-025.mspx
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=cve-2010-0478
Credits MAPP
Revisions 13th April 2010 - 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.

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