Microsoft Windows Authenticode could allow an attacker to execute code
| win-authenticode-code-execution (13422) |  High Risk |
Description:
Microsoft Windows could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by a vulnerability with the Authenticode feature, which identifies the publisher of an ActiveX control. Under specific low memory conditions, Authenticode fails to properly prompt the user for authorization when installing a Microsoft ActiveX control. A remote attacker could cause an unauthorized ActiveX control to be downloaded and installed on the victim's system, without displaying the dialogue that requires the user to click "Yes" in order to install the ActiveX control on the system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by creating a malicious Web page and hosting it on a Web site or by sending it to a victim as an HTML email.
Consequences:
Gain Access
Remedy:
Apply the appropriate patch for your system, as listed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-041. See References.
For Windows NT:
Microsoft originally provided a patch for this vulnerability in MS03-041, but it has been superseded by the patch released with MS04-011. See References.
References:
- CERT Advisory CA-2003-27: Multiple Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows and Exchange.
- CIAC Information Bulletin O-006: Microsoft Authenticode Verification Vulnerability.
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-041: Vulnerability in Authenticode Verification Could Allow Remote Code Execution (823182).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-011: Security Update for Microsoft Windows (835732).
- SecuriTeam Mailing List, Windows NT focus 19 Oct 2003: Microsoft PCHealth Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (Technical Details).
- BID-8830: Microsoft ActiveX Authenticode Verification Bypass Vulnerability
- CVE-2003-0660: The Authenticode capability in Microsoft Windows NT through Server 2003 does not prompt the user to download and install ActiveX controls when the system is low on memory, which could allow remote attackers execute arbitrary code without user approval.
- US-CERT VU#838572: Microsoft Authenticode mechanism installs ActiveX controls without prompting user
Platforms Affected:
- Microsoft Windows 2000
- Microsoft Windows 2003 Server
- Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server
- Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Server
- Microsoft Windows XP
Reported:
Oct 15, 2003
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