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Vulnerability: MS08-053. Vulnerability in Windows Media Encoder 9 Could Allow Remote Code Execution (954156)
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| Details | |
|---|---|
| Vulnerability name/brief description | Vulnerability in Windows Media Encoder 9 Could Allow Remote Code Execution (954156) - MS08-053 |
| CVE/CAN name | CVE-2008-3008 |
| Vendor threat level | Critical |
| SophosLabs threat level | High |
| Solution | Users are advised to apply the vendor patch MS08-053. |
| Vendor description | This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Windows Media Encoder 9 Series. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user viewed a specially crafted Web page. If a user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs, view, change, or delete data, or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights. |
| SophosLabs comments | As the affected software is not installed by default on any Windows-based operating system, but allows for remote code execution, the threat has been assigned a threat level of medium. |
| SophosLabs testing result | N/A |
| Currently known exploits | A proof of concept code to exploit this vulnerability was published as a part of Core Impact penetration testing framework on 10 September 2008. The first publicly available exploit code appeared on few websites on 13 September 2008. However, at the moment of writing this information we are not aware of any malicious web pages that attempt to exploit this vulnerability. |
| First sample seen | N/A |
| Discovery date | 9 September 2008 |
| Affected software | Windows Media Encoder 9 |
| References | http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/ms08-053.mspx |
| Credits | N/A |
| Revisions | 15 September 2008 - SophosLabs threat level upgraded to high following discovery of proof of concept exploit code 10 September 2008 - 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.
If you need more information or guidance, then please contact technical support.
- Article ID: 45147
- Created: 10 Sep 2008
- Last updated: 21 Oct 2008
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