Vulnerability: MS09-065 - Critical Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers Could Allow Remote Code Execution
Back to Latest vulnerabilities homepage
Click any highlighted term for further explanation.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Vulnerability name/brief description | MS09-065 - Critical Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers Could Allow Remote Code Execution |
| CVE/CAN name | |
| Vendor threat level | Critical |
| SophosLabs threat level | High |
| Solution | |
| Vendor description | This security update resolves several privately reported vulnerabilities in the Windows kernel. The most severe of the vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user viewed content rendered in a specially crafted Embedded OpenType (EOT) font. In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker would have to host a Web site that contains specially crafted embedded fonts that are used to attempt to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised Web sites and Web sites that accept or host user-provided content could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. An attacker would have no way to force users to visit a specially crafted Web site. Instead, an attacker would have to convince the user to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link in an e-mail message or Instant Messenger message that takes the user to the attacker's site. |
| SophosLabs comments | This update resolves two privilege escalation vulnerabilities and one remote code execution vulnerability in the kernel for several version of Microsoft Windows. To exploit the first two privilege escalation vulnerabilities, the attacker must already be running code on the local machine, in a context other than system. However, to exploit the remote code execution vulnerability, the attacker simply needs the target user to view content that includes a specially crafted Embedded OpenType font. Although SophosLabs have yet to encounter any examples of malware exploiting these vulnerabilities, because of the exposure of the attack vectors related to the remote code execution vulnerability, SophosLabs is assigning this update a threat level of high. We advise users to apply this patch at their earliest convenience. |
| 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 | November 10 2009 |
| Affected software | Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 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 Windows Vista, Windows Vista Service Pack 1, and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Windows Vista x64 Edition, 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 |
| References | http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS09-065.mspx http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-1127 http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-2513 http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-2514 |
| Credits | Microsoft MAPP Agin Sun for reporting the Win32k NULL Pointer Dereferencing Vulnerability (CVE-2009-1127) Tavis Ormandy of Google Inc. for reporting the Win32k EOT Parsing Vulnerability (CVE-2009-2514) |
| Revisions | November 10 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.
If you need more information or guidance, then please contact technical support.
- Article ID: 66385
- Created: 10 Nov 2009
- Last updated: 10 Nov 2009
