Vulnerability: (2219475) Vulnerability in Windows Help and Support Center Could Allow Remote Code Execution

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	Details
Vulnerability name/brief description	(2219475) Vulnerability in Windows Help and Support Center Could Allow Remote Code Execution
CVE/CAN name	CVE-2010-1885
Vendor threat level	Critical
SophosLabs threat level	High
Solution	MS10-042
Vendor description	Microsoft is investigating new public reports of a possible vulnerability in the Windows Help and Support Center function that is delivered with supported editions of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. This vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted Web page using a Web browser or clicks a specially crafted link in an e-mail message.
SophosLabs comments	This is a serious issue that could result in arbitrary code execution on a victims machines. The fact that any browser that can handle the HCP web protocol is potentially vulnerable means that users cannot simply switch to a different browser in order to be secure. Users are advised to be extra vigilant when browsing the internet and to treat any links received in email messages with extreme caution.
SophosLabs testing result	N/A
Currently known exploits	Mal/HcpExpl-A - CVE-2010-1885
First sample seen	15th June 2010
Discovery date	10th June 2010
Affected software	Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3 Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems
References	http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/2219475.mspx http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS10-042.mspx http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2010-1885
Credits	Microsoft MAPP
Revisions	11th June 2010 - Initial analysis written 15th June 2010 - Updated known threat information 13th July 2010 - Updated with Patch information

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:
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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.