Vulnerability: (2286198) Vulnerability in Windows Shell Could Allow Remote Code Execution

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	Details
Vulnerability name/brief description	(2286198) Vulnerability in Windows Shell Could Allow Remote Code Execution
CVE/CAN name	CVE-2010-2568
Vendor threat level	Critical
SophosLabs threat level	Critical
Solution	MS10-046 Users are urged to follow the vendors recommended workaround for disabling the displaying of shortcut icons.
Vendor description	Microsoft is investigating reports of limited, targeted attacks exploiting a vulnerability in Windows Shell, a component of Microsoft Windows. This advisory contains information about which versions of Windows are vulnerable as well as workarounds and mitigations for this issue. The vulnerability exists because Windows incorrectly parses shortcuts in such a way that malicious code may be executed when the user clicks the displayed icon of a specially crafted shortcut. This vulnerability is most likely to be exploited through removable drives. For systems that have AutoPlay disabled, customers would need to manually browse to the root folder of the removable disk in order for the vulnerability to be exploited. For Windows 7 systems, AutoPlay functionality for removable disks is automatically disabled.
SophosLabs comments	This is a very serious vulnerability not least due to the relative simplicity of exploitation, and we have already seen USB worms exploiting this issue in the wild. Much has already been said about this issue, but our primary concern at this time is that another attack vector aside from removable drives will be leveraged by malware authors. Users are urged to take all available steps to protect themselves from this vulnerability.
SophosLabs testing result	Windows XP Professional Service pack 2, exploitation is very reliable and due to the issue being a design flaw it does not result in a crash.
Currently known exploits	Troj/Stuxnet-A - CVE-2010-2568 W32/Stuxnet-B - CVE-2010-2568 Troj/Stuxnet-C - CVE-2010-2568 Exp/Cplink-A - CVE-2010-2568 Mal/CpLink-C and Mal/CpLink-O also exploit CVE-2010-2568
First sample seen	13th July 2010
Discovery date	17th June 2010
Affected software	**NOTE** This is a list of vulnerable software still currently supported by the vendor, it is not an exhaustive list of all vulnerable systems although we know through our own testing that Windows XP service pack 2 and Windows 2000 are also vulnerable. 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 Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems and Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2 Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems
References	http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/2286198.mspx http://www.anti-virus.by/en/tempo.shtml http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2010-2568 http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms10-aug.mspx
Credits	Microsoft MAPP
Revisions	19th July 2010 - Initial analysis written 2nd August 2010 - Updated with vendor patch information and threat level

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.