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Vulnerability Note VU#411516

Microsoft Windows kernel fails to properly manage exception handling

Overview

An exception handling vulnerability in the Microsoft Windows kernel may allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code.

I. Description

Microsoft Windows kernel contains an exception handling vulnerability that can allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code with privileges of the local user. Exploitation of this vulnerability can occur if an attacker convinces a user to visit a specially crafted web site.

Microsoft's bulletin states that the following Windows operating systems are affected by this vulnerability:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
  • Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 2
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Service Pack 1
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems and Service Pack 1
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition

II. Impact

A remote attacker who can successfully convince a user visit a specially crafted web site may be able to execute arbitrary code with privileges of the local user.

III. Solution

Apply an update

Microsoft has released updates in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-051 to address this issue.

Workarounds

Microsoft lists the following workarounds* for this vulnerability:

    Disable active scripting in the My Computer zone.
    Please see the Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-051 for further details and cautions regarding use of the Registry Editor.
    1. Click Start, click Run, type regedt32, and then click OK.
    2. In Registry Editor, locate the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\0
    3. Double click the DWORD Value: 1400.
    4. The Edit DWORD value dialogue appears. The default value is 0. Change this value to value to 3.
    5. Close and restart Internet Explorer.

    Read e-mail messages in plain text format.
    E-mail messages viewed in plain text will not contain pictures, special fonts, or other rich content.
* Note that these workarounds do NOT fix the underlying vulnerability but will help block known methods of attack.

Systems Affected
VendorStatusDate Updated
Microsoft CorporationVulnerable8-Aug-2006

References


http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms06-051.mspx
http://secunia.com/advisories/21415/

Credit

Thanks to Microsoft Security for reporting this vulnerability in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-051. Microsoft, in turn, thanks Matt Miller of Leviathan Security Group for reporting the vulnerability to them.

This document was written by Katie Washok.

Other Information

Date Public08/08/2006
Date First Published08/08/2006 06:25:15 PM
Date Last Updated09/18/2006
CERT Advisory 
CVE NameCVE-2006-3648
US-CERT Technical Alerts 
Metric7.90
Document Revision14

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