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Vulnerability: MS09-025 Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel Could Allow Elevation of Privilege

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 Details
Vulnerability name/brief descriptionVulnerabilities in Windows Kernel Could Allow Elevation of Privilege - MS09-025
CVE/CAN name

CVE-2009-1123, CVE-2009-1124, CVE-2009-1125, CVE-2009-1126

Vendor threat levelImportant
SophosLabs threat levelLow
Solution

Users are advised to apply the vendor patch for MS09-025 .

Vendor description

This security update resolves two publicly disclosed and two privately reported vulnerabilities in the Windows kernel that could allow elevation of privilege. An attacker who successfully exploited any of these vulnerabilities could execute arbitrary code and 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. An attacker must have valid logon credentials and be able to log on locally to exploit these vulnerabilities. The vulnerabilities could not be exploited remotely or by anonymous users.

SophosLabs comments

Although this bulletin resolves four previously unknown vulnerabilities only two have been publically disclosed. Also, due to the fact that these are local vulnerabilities that cannot be exploited remotely, and that a patch is now available, SophosLabs have given these vulnerabilities a threat assessment of Low. However users are still advised to apply this patch at their earliest convenience.

SophosLabs testing resultN/A
Currently known exploits

At the time of writing SophosLabs has seen no samples of malware attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Should this situation change samples will be analysed and we will take action as necessary.

First sample seenN/A
Discovery date9 June 2009
Affected software

Microsoft Windows 2000, Service Pack 4
Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 2
Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 3
Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64, Service Pack 2
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Service Pack 2
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64, Service Pack 2
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Itanium, Service Pack 2
Microsoft Windows Vista
Microsoft Windows Vista, Service Pack 1
Microsoft Windows Vista, Service Pack 2
Microsoft Windows Vista x64
Microsoft Windows Vista x64, Service Pack 1
Microsoft Windows Vista x64, Service Pack 2
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 x32
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 x32, Service Pack 2
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 x64
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 x64, Service Pack 2
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Itanium
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Itanium, Service Pack 2

References

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/ms09-025.mspx
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-1123
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-1124
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-1125
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-1126

Credits

Microsoft MAPP program

Revisions

9 June 2009 - 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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