Windows 7 / 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 Problems
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Published: 2011-02-24,
Last Updated: 2011-02-24 13:45:34 UTC
by Johannes Ullrich (Version: 1)
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I will use this post to collect some of the problems we are hearing about with Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 2008 R2 SP1. Right now, there is no urgent reason to install this service pack and it should be tested first.

A few areas to watch:

- Whitelisting / Blacklisting: Whitelisting software may not have checksums yet to verify all the files that are modified by the service pack. Same for anti-virus: Some anti virus products monitor system files for changes and may sound an alert or block the installation of SP 1

- Firewalls: Third party firewalls may find that some of the low level hooks they use have changed.

- Disk Encryption: In particular full disk encryption that modifies the boot process may find that some of the changes it did are undone by the SP install

- Custom hardware: If you are using drivers other then those that are included in Windows 7 (or 2008 R2), be careful.

Specific examples. Consider them anecdotal but if you run any software mentioned here, or similar software, this list should give you a guide to test.

* Users with old versions of Microsoft Security Essentials may not be able to install SP1. Upgrade first.
* Samsung Galaxy S phone drivers may have problems with SP1
* some users reported very long install times (> 1hr. but not all that unusual for a service pack)
* Chrome 10 and 11 have issues according to some tweets
* Word 2003 VBA
* slower boot times with SP1 then without
* some reports of download issues due to overloaded servers
* Lenovo's Thinkvantage System Update may not work (update it before applying the SP)
* EVGA Precision Utility 2.0.2 (Graphics card stats program liked by gamers)
* MSI Afterburner
* some issues with Bitlocker are reported. But no confirmation at this point and it may also be due to entering the wrong password on reboot (you have to reboot a couple times in certain situations)

Link to a technet page with reports of install issues:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff817622%28WS.10%29.aspx

If all fails, here a link with an uninstall procedure for SP1:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/uninstall-sp1

To temporarily block installation of the service pack:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=d7c9a07a-5267-4bd6-87d0-e2a72099edb7&displaylang=en

Windows 0-day SMB mrxsmb.dll vulnerability
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Published: 2011-02-16,
Last Updated: 2011-02-16 16:46:25 UTC
by Jason Lam (Version: 1)
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A new vulnerability has been discovered exploiting SMB component of Windows. The attack involves sending of malformed Browser Election requests leading the heap overflow within the mrxsmb.dll driver. The vulnerability is known to be able to cause DoS and fully control of vulnerable machines. Proof of concept code for DoS had been released. There are reports that this exploit only work on local network segment (this hasn't been verified).

The general practice of block port 138, 139 and 445 should be observed especially with this 0-day.

More information on this exploit

http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0394

I just wanted to let everyone know before they hear it somewhere else.

Due to "creative differences" I will not be involved with the "revision" of Mastering System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2 for Microsoft's latest release of ConfigMgr 2012.  Judging from the reviews on Amazon, I am sure some will breathe a sigh of relief. Whether I ever write another book still remains to be seen.

A big thanks to all of you that did buy the book, and gave me positive comments on it, it was greatly appreciated.

Thanks again and see you at MMS 2011!

February 2011 Microsoft Black Tuesday Summary

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Published: 2011-02-08,
Last Updated: 2011-02-09 01:33:53 UTC
by Joel Esler (Version: 4)

7 comment(s)

Here are the February 2011 Black Tuesday patches.  Enjoy!
 

Overview of the February 2011 Microsoft Patches and their status.
 

#	Affected	Contra Indications	Known Exploits	Microsoft rating	ISC rating(*)
clients	servers
MS11-003	Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (Replaces MS10-090 )
Internet Explorer CVE-2010-3971 CVE-2011-0035 CVE-2011-0036 CVE-2011-0038	KB 2482017	ACTIVELY EXPLOITED.	Severity:Critical Exploitability: 1,1,1	PATCH NOW!	Critical
MS11-004	Vulnerability in Internet Information Services (IIS) FTP Service Could Allow Remote Code Execution
IIS CVE-2010-3972	KB 2489256	POC Available.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 1	PATCH NOW!	Critical
MS11-005	DoS Vulnerability in Active Directory (Replaces MS10-068 MS10-101 )
Active Directory CVE-2011-0040	KB 2478953	None Known.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 3	Important	Important
MS11-006	Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in Windows Shell Graphics Processing (Replaces MS10-046 )
Windows Shell CVE-2010-3970	KB 2483185	Exploit Available!	Severity:Critical Exploitability: 1	PATCH NOW!	Critical
MS11-007	Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in the OpenType Compact Font Format (CFF) Driver (Replaces MS10-091 )
Open Type Compact Font Format Driver CVE-2011-0033	KB 2485376	None Known.	Severity:Critical Exploitability: 1	Critical	Critical
MS11-008	Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Visio (Replaces MS10-028 MS10-036 )
Visio CVE-2011-0092 CVE-2011-0093	KB 2451879	None Known.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 1,1	Critical	Important
MS11-009	Information Disclosure Vulnerability in JScript and VBScript Scripting Engines (Replaces MS10-022 )
VBScript/JScript CVE-2011-0031	KB 2475792	None Known.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 3	Important	Important
MS11-010	Privilege Elevation Vulnerability in Windows Client/Server Run-time Subsystem (Replaces MS10-011 )
Client/Server Runtime CVE-2011-0030	KB 2476687	None Known.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 1	Important	Important
MS11-011	Privilege Elevation Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel (Replaces MS10-021 MS10-047 )
Windows Kernel CVE-2010-4398 CVE-2011-0045	KB 2393802	None Known.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 1	Important	Important
MS11-012	Privilege Elevation Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers (Replaces MS10-098 )
Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers CVE-2011-0086 CVE2011-0087 CVE2011-0088 CVE2011-0089 CVE-2011-0090	KB 2479628	None Known.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 1,1,1,1,1	Important	Important
MS11-013	Privilege Elevation Vulnerabilities in Kerberos (Replaces MS10-014 )
Kerberos CVE-2011-0043 CVE-2011-0091	KB 2496930	Publically Disclosed.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 1,1	Important	Important
MS11-014	Privilege Elevation Vulnerability in Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (Replaces MS08-002 )
LSASS 2011-0039	KB 2478960	None Known.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 1	Important	Important

 

We will update issues on this page for about a week or so as they evolve.
We appreciate updates
US based customers can call Microsoft for free patch related support on 1-866-PCSAFETY

(*): ISC rating

• We use 4 levels:
  • PATCH NOW: Typically used where we see immediate danger of exploitation. Typical environments will want to deploy these patches ASAP. Workarounds are typically not accepted by users or are not possible. This rating is often used when typical deployments make it vulnerable and exploits are being used or easy to obtain or make.
  • Critical: Anything that needs little to become "interesting" for the dark side. Best approach is to test and deploy ASAP. Workarounds can give more time to test.
  • Important: Things where more testing and other measures can help.
  • Less Urgent: Typically we expect the impact if left unpatched to be not that big a deal in the short term. Do not forget them however.
• The difference between the client and server rating is based on how you use the affected machine. We take into account the typical client and server deployment in the usage of the machine and the common measures people typically have in place already. Measures we presume are simple best practices for servers such as not using outlook, MSIE, word etc. to do traditional office or leisure work.
• The rating is not a risk analysis as such. It is a rating of importance of the vulnerability and the perceived or even predicted threat for affected systems. The rating does not account for the number of affected systems there are. It is for an affected system in a typical worst-case role.
• Only the organization itself is in a position to do a full risk analysis involving the presence (or lack of) affected systems, the actually implemented measures, the impact on their operation and the value of the assets involved.
• All patches released by a vendor are important enough to have a close look if you use the affected systems. There is little incentive for vendors to publicize patches that do not have some form of risk to them

 

-- Joel Esler | http://blog.snort.org | http://blog.joelesler.net

 

UPDATE:

We have been getting reports of people having issues applying MS11-003 (see comments).  No doubt you are testing this in a test environment first anyway, but for this patch you may wish to double check.  Errors of invalid hash and error code 0x80246002.  

If you do have issues with your patches make sure you let Microsoft know via your support channel.

Adobe Reader 9.4.2 and 10.0.1 Updates are out
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Published: 2011-02-08,
Last Updated: 2011-02-08 18:00:00 UTC
by Joel Esler (Version: 1)
1 comment(s)

Adobe released updates for Reader for 9.4.2 and 10.0.1. While this page on Adobe's site doesn't actually list them correctly, if you drill down into the actual product and OS, you'll see the updates listed for 2/8/2011.

Happy Patching.

-- Joel Esler | http://blog.snort.org | http://blog.joelesler.net

Feburary 2011 Microsoft Black Tuesday Summary

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Published: 2011-02-08,
Last Updated: 2011-02-08 17:52:24 UTC
by Joel Esler (Version: 1)

1 comment(s)

Here are the February 2011 Black Tuesday patches.  Enjoy!
 

Overview of the February 2011 Microsoft Patches and their status.
 

#	Affected	Contra Indications	Known Exploits	Microsoft rating	ISC rating(*)
clients	servers
MS10-003	Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (Replaces MS10-090 )
Internet Explorer CVE-2010-3971 CVE-2011-0035 CVE-2011-0036 CVE-2011-0038	KB 2482017	ACTIVELY EXPLOITED.	Severity:Critical Exploitability: 1,1,1	PATCH NOW!	Critical
MS11-004	Vulnerability in Internet Information Services (IIS) FTP Service Could Allow Remote Code Execution
IIS CVE-2010-3972	KB 2489256	POC Available.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 1	PATCH NOW!	Critical
MS11-005	DoS Vulnerability in Active Directory (Replaces MS10-068 MS10-101 )
Active Directory CVE-2011-0040	KB 2478953	.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 3	Important	Important
MS11-006	Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in Windows Shell Graphics Processing (Replaces MS10-046 )
Windows Shell CVE-2010-3970	KB 2483185	Exploit Available!.	Severity:Critical Exploitability: 1	PATCH NOW!	Critical
MS11-007	Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in the OpenType Compact Font Format (CFF) Driver (Replaces MS10-091 )
Open Type Compact Font Format Driver CVE-2011-0033	KB 2485376	no exploit available.	Severity:Critical Exploitability: 1	Critical	Critical
MS11-008	Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Visio (Replaces MS10-028 MS10-036 )
Visio CVE-2011-0092 CVE-2011-0093	KB 2451879	no exploit available.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 1,1	Critical	Important
MS11-009	Information Disclosure Vulnerability in JScript and VBScript Scripting Engines (Replaces MS10-022 )
VBScript/JScript CVE-2011-0031	KB 2475792	no exploit available.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 3	Important	Important
MS11-010	Privilege Elevation Vulnerability in Windows Client/Server Run-time Subsystem (Replaces MS10-011 )
Client/Server Runtime CVE-2011-0030	KB 2476687	no exploit available.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 1	Important	Important
MS11-011	Privilege Elevation Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel (Replaces MS10-021 MS10-047 )
Windows Kernel CVE-2010-4398 CVE-2011-0045	KB 2393802	no exploit available.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 1	Important	Important
MS11-012	Privilege Elevation Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers (Replaces MS10-098 )
Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers CVE-2011-0086 CVE2011-0087 CVE2011-0088 CVE2011-0089 CVE-2011-0090	KB 2479628	no exploit available.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 1,1,1,1,1	Important	Important
MS11-013	Privilege Elevation Vulnerabilities in Kerberos (Replaces MS10-014 )
Kerberos CVE-2011-0043 CVE-2011-0091	KB 2496930	Publically Disclosed.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 1,1	Important	Important
MS11-014	Privilege Elevation Vulnerability in Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (Replaces MS08-002 )
LSASS 2011-0039	KB 2478960	.	Severity:Important Exploitability: 1	Important	Important

 

We will update issues on this page for about a week or so as they evolve.
We appreciate updates
US based customers can call Microsoft for free patch related support on 1-866-PCSAFETY

(*): ISC rating

• We use 4 levels:
  • PATCH NOW: Typically used where we see immediate danger of exploitation. Typical environments will want to deploy these patches ASAP. Workarounds are typically not accepted by users or are not possible. This rating is often used when typical deployments make it vulnerable and exploits are being used or easy to obtain or make.
  • Critical: Anything that needs little to become "interesting" for the dark side. Best approach is to test and deploy ASAP. Workarounds can give more time to test.
  • Important: Things where more testing and other measures can help.
  • Less Urgent: Typically we expect the impact if left unpatched to be not that big a deal in the short term. Do not forget them however.
• The difference between the client and server rating is based on how you use the affected machine. We take into account the typical client and server deployment in the usage of the machine and the common measures people typically have in place already. Measures we presume are simple best practices for servers such as not using outlook, MSIE, word etc. to do traditional office or leisure work.
• The rating is not a risk analysis as such. It is a rating of importance of the vulnerability and the perceived or even predicted threat for affected systems. The rating does not account for the number of affected systems there are. It is for an affected system in a typical worst-case role.
• Only the organization itself is in a position to do a full risk analysis involving the presence (or lack of) affected systems, the actually implemented measures, the impact on their operation and the value of the assets involved.
• All patches released by a vendor are important enough to have a close look if you use the affected systems. There is little incentive for vendors to publicize patches that do not have some form of risk to them

 

-- Joel Esler | http://blog.snort.org | http://blog.joelesler.net