Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-012

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the MFC component provided with Microsoft Windows and Visual Studio. An attacker could attempt to exploit this vulnerability when a user interacts with a malformed embedded OLE object within a Rich Text Format (RTF) file or a Rich Text e-mail message.

If a user were 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 affected than users who operate with administrative rights.

•	An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user. 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.
•	An attacker could only exploit this vulnerability when a user opens and then interacts with an embedded OLE object within a Rich Text Format (RTF) file or a Rich Text e-mail message.
•	This vulnerability could not be exploited automatically through a Web-based attack scenario. An attacker would have to host a Web site that contains an RTF file that is used to attempt to exploit this vulnerability. An attacker would have no way to force users to visit a malicious Web site. Instead, an attacker would have to persuade them to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link that takes them to the attacker's site, and then convince the user to open the file.
•	The vulnerability cannot be exploited automatically through e-mail. For an attack to be successful a user must open an attachment that is sent in an e-mail message and then interact with an embedded OLE object within a Rich Text Format (RTF) file, or interact with an embedded OLE object within a Rich Text e-mail message.

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Microsoft has tested the following workarounds. Although these workarounds will not correct the underlying vulnerability, they help block known attack vectors. When a workaround reduces functionality, it is identified in the following section.

•	Enable Embedded Object blocking in Wordpad.exe Note: This workaround only applies to Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 systems. Wordpad.exe is the default application used to open Rich Text files. Users can temporarily block the parsing of embedded objects within Rich Text Files. Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. We recommend that you back up the registry before you edit it. Use the following text to create a .reg file that will automate editing of the registry to temporarily block the parsing of embedded objects with Rich Text Files when using Wordpad.exe. You can copy the following text, paste it into a text editor such as Notepad, and then save the file with the .reg file name extension. Run the .reg file on the vulnerable client. Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\RtfStreamIn\ObjectBlocking\wordpad.exe] Impact of Workaround: Wordpad.exe will no longer parse embedded objects within Rich Text files.
•	Do not open or save RTF files that you receive from untrusted sources or that you receive unexpectedly from trusted sources. This vulnerability could be exploited when a user opens a specially crafted file.
•	Un-install WordPad from Windows 2000 or Windows 2003 Wordpad.exe is the default application used to open Rich Text files. By uninstalling WordPad, users can block the parsing of embedded objects within Rich Text Files. 1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs. 2. Click Add/Remove Windows Components, double-click Accessories and Utilities, and then double-click Accessories. 3. Uncheck Wordpad, click Okay to let the Optional Component manager uninstall Wordpad. Impact of Workaround: Wordpad will no longer parse embedded objects within Rich Text files.

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What is the scope of the vulnerability?
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the MFC component provided with Microsoft Windows and Visual Studio. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability when a user interacts with a malformed embedded OLE object within a Rich Text Format (RTF) file, or a Rich Text e-mail message. If a user were 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 affected than users who operate with administrative rights.

What is Rich Text Format (RTF)?
The Rich Text Format (RTF) Specification provides a format for text and graphics interchange that can be used with different output devices, operating environments, and operating systems.

What is OLE?
By using OLE technology, an application can provide embedding and linking support. OLE is the technology that applications use to create and edit compound documents. These are documents of one format, such as a Microsoft Word document, that contain embeddings of (or links to) documents of another format, such as Microsoft Excel. OLE 2.0 takes OLE even further by allowing in-place editing. Instead of launching a new application when an OLE object is activated, the user instead sees a new set of menu items inside their existing application. For more information about OLE, visit the following MSDN Web site.

What causes the vulnerability?
Windows MFC components do not perform sufficient validation when parsing OLE objects embedded within RTF files. When a user interacts with a malformed embedded OLE Object within an RTF file, it may corrupt system memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could cause arbitrary code to run with the privileges of the user who opened the file.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could only exploit this vulnerability when a user opens and then interacts with an embedded OLE object within a Rich Text Format (RTF) file or a Rich Text e-mail message.

This vulnerability could not be exploited automatically through a Web-based attack scenario. An attacker would have to host a Web site that contains an RTF file that is used to attempt to exploit this vulnerability. An attacker would have no way to force users to visit a malicious Web site. Instead, an attacker would have to persuade them to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link that takes them to the attacker's site, and then convince the user to open the file.

The vulnerability cannot be exploited automatically through e-mail. For an attack to be successful a user must open an attachment that is sent in an e-mail message and then interact with an embedded OLE object within the RTF file, or interact with an embedded OLE object within a Rich Text e-mail message.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Workstations and terminal servers are primarily at risk. Servers could be at more risk if administrators allow users to log on to servers and to run programs. However, best practices strongly discourage allowing this.

What does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by modifying the way that the Windows MFC components parse OLE streams within RTF files.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through responsible disclosure. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly disclosed when this security bulletin was originally issued.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers and had not seen any examples of proof of concept code published when this security bulletin was originally issued.

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Prerequisites
For Windows 2000, this security update requires Service Pack 4 (SP4). For Small Business Server 2000, this security update requires Small Business Server 2000 Service Pack 1a (SP1a) or Small Business Server 2000 running with Windows 2000 Server Service Pack 4 (SP4).

The software that is listed has been tested to determine whether the versions are affected. Other versions either no longer include security update support or may not be affected. To determine the support life cycle for your product and version, visit the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Web site.

For more information about how to obtain the latest service pack, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 260910.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs
The update for this issue may be included in a future Update Rollup.

Installation Information

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Note You can combine these switches into one command. For backward compatibility, the security update also supports the setup switches that the earlier version of the Setup program uses. For more information about the supported installation switches, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 262841. For more information about the Update.exe installer, visit the Microsoft TechNet Web site. For more information about the terminology that appears in this bulletin, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.

Deployment Information

To install the security update without any user intervention, use the following command at a command prompt for Windows 2000 Service Pack 4:

Windows2000-KB924667-x86-enu /quiet

Note Use of the /quiet switch will suppress all messages. This includes suppressing failure messages. Administrators should use one of the supported methods to verify the installation was successful when they use the /quiet switch. Administrators should also review the KB924667.log file for any failure messages when they use this switch.

To install the security update without forcing the system to restart, use the following command at a command prompt for Windows 2000 Service Pack 4:

Windows2000-KB924667-x86-enu /norestart

For more information about how to deploy this security update with Software Update Services, visit the Software Update Services Web site. For more information about how to deploy this security update using Windows Server Update Services, visit the Windows Server Update Services Web site. This security update will also be available through the Microsoft Update Web site.

Restart Requirement

You must restart your system after you apply this security update.

Removal Information

To remove this security update, use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel.

System administrators can also use the Spuninst.exe utility to remove this security update. The Spuninst.exe utility is located in the %Windir%\$NTUninstallKB924667$\Spuninst folder.

File Information

The English version of this security update has the file attributes that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Windows 2000 Service Pack 4:

Verifying that the Update Has Been Applied

Prerequisites
This security update requires Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2. For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 322389.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs
The update for this issue will be included in a future Service Pack or Update Rollup.

Installation Information

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Note You can combine these switches into one command. For backward compatibility, the security update also supports the setup switches that the earlier version of the Setup program uses. For more information about the supported installation switches, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 262841. For more information about the Update.exe installer, visit the Microsoft TechNet Web site.

Deployment Information

To install the security update without any user intervention, use the following command at a command prompt for Microsoft Windows XP:

WindowsXP-KB924667-x86-enu /quiet

Note Use of the /quiet switch will suppress all messages. This includes suppressing failure messages. Administrators should use one of the supported methods to verify the installation was successful when they use the /quiet switch. Administrators should also review the KB924667.log file for any failure messages when they use this switch.

To install the security update without forcing the system to restart, use the following command at a command prompt for Windows XP:

WindowsXP-KB924667-x86-enu /norestart

For information about how to deploy this security update by using Software Update Services, visit the Software Update Services Web site. For more information about how to deploy this security update using Windows Server Update Services, visit the Windows Server Update Services Web site. This security update will also be available through the Microsoft Update Web site.

Restart Requirement

You must restart your system after you apply this security update.

Removal Information

To remove this security update, use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel.

System administrators can also use the Spuninst.exe utility to remove this security update. The Spuninst.exe utility is located in the %Windir%\$NTUninstallKB924667$\Spuninst folder.

File Information

The English version of this security update has the file attributes that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2, Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, and Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005:

Windows XP Professional x64:

Notes When you install these security updates, the installer checks to see if one or more of the files that are being updated on your system have previously been updated by a Microsoft hotfix.

If you have previously installed a hotfix to update one of these files, the installer copies the RTMQFE, SP1QFE, or SP2QFE files to your system. Otherwise, the installer copies the RTMGDR, SP1GDR, or SP2GDR files to your system. Security updates may not contain all variations of these files. For more information about this behavior, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824994.

For more information about the Update.exe installer, visit the Microsoft TechNet Web site.

For more information about the terminology that appears in this bulletin, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.

Verifying that the Update Has Been Applied

Prerequisites
This security update requires Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2.

Note The security updates for Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 also apply to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs
The update for this issue will be included in future Service Pack or Update Rollup.

Installation Information

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Note You can combine these switches into one command. For backward compatibility, the security update also supports many of the setup switches that the earlier version of the Setup program uses. For more information about the supported installation switches, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 262841. For more information about the Update.exe installer, visit the Microsoft TechNet Web site.

Deployment Information

To install the security update without any user intervention, use the following command at a command prompt for Windows Server 2003:

WindowsServer2003-KB924667-v2-x86-enu /quiet

Note Use of the /quiet switch will suppress all messages. This includes suppressing failure messages. Administrators should use one of the supported methods to verify the installation was successful when they use the /quiet switch. Administrators should also review the KB924667.log file for any failure messages when they use this switch.

To install the security update without forcing the system to restart, use the following command at a command prompt for Windows Server 2003:

WindowsServer2003-KB924667-v2-x86-enu /norestart

For information about how to deploy this security update by using Software Update Services, visit the Software Update Services Web site. For more information about how to deploy this security update using Windows Server Update Services, visit the Windows Server Update Services Web site. This security update will also be available through the Microsoft Update Web site.

Restart Requirement

You must restart your system after you apply this security update.

This security update does not support HotPatching. For more information about HotPatching, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 897341.

Note Not all security updates support HotPatching, and some security updates that support HotPatching might require that you restart the server after you install the security update. HotPatching is only supported if the files being replaced by the security update are General Distribution Release (GDR) files. HotPatching is not supported if you have previously installed a hotfix to update one of the files included in the security update. For more information about this behavior, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 897341and Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824994.

Removal Information

To remove this update, use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel.

System administrators can also use the Spuninst.exe utility to remove this security update. The Spuninst.exe utility is located in the %Windir%\$NTUninstallKB924667-v2$\Spuninst folder.

File Information

The English version of this security update has the file attributes that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003, Web Edition; Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition; Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition; Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition; Windows Small Business Server 2003; Windows Server 2003, Web Edition with SP1; Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition with SP1; Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition with SP1; Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition with SP1; Windows Server 2003, Web Edition with SP2; Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition with SP2; Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition with SP2; Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition with SP2; Windows Server 2003 R2, Web Edition; Windows Server 2003 R2, Standard Edition; Windows Server 2003 R2, Datacenter Edition; Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise Edition; and Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2:

Windows Server, 2003 Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems; Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-based Systems; Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems; Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems; Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems; and Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems:

Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition; Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition; Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition; Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition Service Pack 2; Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition Service Pack 2; Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition Service Pack 2; Windows Server 2003 R2, Standard x64 Edition; Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise x64 Edition; and Windows Server 2003 R2, Datacenter x64 Edition:

Notes When you install these security updates, the installer checks to see if one or more of the files that are being updated on your system have previously been updated by a Microsoft hotfix.

If you have previously installed a hotfix to update one of these files, the installer copies the RTMQFE, SP1QFE, or SP2QFE files to your system. Otherwise, the installer copies the RTMGDR, SP1GDR, or SP2GDR files to your system. Security updates may not contain all variations of these files. For more information about this behavior, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824994.

For more information about this behavior, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824994.

For more information about the Update.exe installer, visit the Microsoft TechNet Web site.

For more information about the terminology that appears in this bulletin, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.

Verifying that the Update Has Been Applied

Prerequisites
This security update requires Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2002.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs
The update for this issue may be included in a future Update Rollup.

Installation Information

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Note You can combine these switches into one command.

Deployment Information

To install the security update without any user intervention, use the following command at a command prompt:

VS7.0-KB924641-x86 /q

Note Use of this command will also install the security update without forcing the system to restart.

Note Use of the /q switch will suppress all messages. This includes suppressing failure messages. Administrators should use one of the supported methods to verify the installation was successful when they use the /q switch. Administrators should also review the KB924641.log file for any failure messages when they use this switch.

For more information about how to deploy this security update with Software Update Services, visit the Software Update Services Web site. For more information about how to deploy this security update using Windows Server Update Services, visit the Windows Server Update Services Web site.

Restart Requirement

In some cases, this update does not require a restart. If the required files are being used, this update will require a restart. If this behavior occurs, a message appears that advises you to restart.

Removal Information

To remove this security update, use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel.

File Information

The English version of this security update has the file attributes that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2002:

Notes When you install these security updates, the installer checks to see if one or more of the files that are being updated on your system have previously been updated by a Microsoft hotfix.

For more information about this behavior, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824994.

For more information about the terminology that appears in this bulletin, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.

Verifying that the Update Has Been Applied

Prerequisites
This security update requires Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2002 Service Pack 1.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs
The update for this issue will be included in a future Service Pack or Update Rollup.

Installation Information

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Note You can combine these switches into one command.

Deployment Information

To install the security update without any user intervention, use the following command at a command prompt:

VS7.0sp1-KB924642-x86 /q

Note Use of this command will also install the security update without forcing the system to restart.

Note Use of the /q switch will suppress all messages. This includes suppressing failure messages. Administrators should use one of the supported methods to verify the installation was successful when they use the /q switch. Administrators should also review the KB924642.log file for any failure messages when they use this switch.

For information about how to deploy this security update by using Software Update Services, visit the Software Update Services Web site. For more information about how to deploy this security update using Windows Server Update Services, visit the Windows Server Update Services Web site.

Restart Requirement

In some cases, this update does not require a restart. If the required files are being used, this update will require a restart. If this behavior occurs, a message appears that advises you to restart.

Removal Information

To remove this security update, use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel.

File Information

The English version of this security update has the file attributes that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2002 Service Pack 1:

Notes When you install these security updates, the installer checks to see if one or more of the files that are being updated on your system have previously been updated by a Microsoft hotfix.

For more information about this behavior, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824994.

For more information about the terminology that appears in this bulletin, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.

Verifying that the Update Has Been Applied

Prerequisites
This security update requires Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs
The update for this issue will be included in future Service Pack or Update Rollup.

Installation Information

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Note You can combine these switches into one command.

Deployment Information

To install the security update without any user intervention, use the following command at a command prompt:

VS7.1-KB924643-x86 /q

Note Use of this command will also install the security update without forcing the system to restart.

Note Use of the /q switch will suppress all messages. This includes suppressing failure messages. Administrators should use one of the supported methods to verify the installation was successful when they use the /q switch. Administrators should also review the KB924643.log file for any failure messages when they use this switch.

For information about how to deploy this security update by using Software Update Services, visit the Software Update Services Web site. For more information about how to deploy this security update using Windows Server Update Services, visit the Windows Server Update Services Web site.

Restart Requirement

In some cases, this update does not require a restart. If the required files are being used, this update will require a restart. If this behavior occurs, a message appears that advises you to restart.

Removal Information

To remove this update, use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel.

File Information

The English version of this security update has the file attributes that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003:

Notes When you install these security updates, the installer checks to see if one or more of the files that are being updated on your system have previously been updated by a Microsoft hotfix.

For more information about this behavior, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824994.

For more information about the terminology that appears in this bulletin, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.

Verifying that the Update Has Been Applied

Prerequisites
This security update requires Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Service Pack 1.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs
The update for this issue will be included in future Service Pack or Update Rollup.

Installation Information

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Note You can combine these switches into one command.

Deployment Information

To install the security update without any user intervention, use the following command at a command prompt:

VS7.1sp1-KB927696-x86 /q

Note Use of this command will also install the security update without forcing the system to restart.

Note Use of the /q switch will suppress all messages. This includes suppressing failure messages. Administrators should use one of the supported methods to verify the installation was successful when they use the /q switch. Administrators should also review the KB927696.log file for any failure messages when they use this switch.

For information about how to deploy this security update by using Software Update Services, visit the Software Update Services Web site. For more information about how to deploy this security update using Windows Server Update Services, visit the Windows Server Update Services Web site.

Restart Requirement

In some cases, this update does not require a restart. If the required files are being used, this update will require a restart. If this behavior occurs, a message appears that advises you to restart.

Removal Information

To remove this update, use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel.

File Information

The English version of this security update has the file attributes that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Service Pack 1:

Notes When you install these security updates, the installer checks to see if one or more of the files that are being updated on your system have previously been updated by a Microsoft hotfix.

For more information about this behavior, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824994.

For more information about the terminology that appears in this bulletin, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.

Verifying that the Update Has Been Applied