Microsoft Windows XP "Authenticated Users" insecure default permissions

win-auth-users-insecure-permissions (24463) The risk level is classified as MediumMedium Risk

Description:

A design error regarding default permissions in Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 could allow a local attacker to gain elevated privileges. Members of the "Authenticated Users" group are granted permissions to modify Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP) and Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) service configurations. A local attacker could exploit this vulnerability to bypass security restrictions and execute arbitrary programs with elevated privileges.

Note: This vulnerability also affects multiple Avaya and Nortel Networks devices and software, which utilize Microsoft Windows Server 2003.

*CVSS:

Base Score: 2.9
  Access Vector: Local
  Access Complexity: Low
  Authentication: Required
  Confidentiality Impact: Partial
  Integrity Impact: Partial
  Availability Impact: Partial
 
Temporal Score: 2.5
  Exploitability: High
  Remediation Level: Official-Fix
  Report Confidence: Confirmed

Consequences:

Gain Privileges

Remedy:

Apply the appropriate patch for your system, as listed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-011. See References.

References:

  • Microsoft Security Advisory (914457): Possible Vulnerability in Windows Service ACLs.
  • Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-011: Permissive Windows Services DACLs Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (914798).
  • Nortel Networks Security Advisory 2006006777: Centrex IP Client Manager (CICM) Response to Microsoft March Security Bulletin.
  • Secure Internet Programming laboratory at Princeton University Research Paper - January 31, 2006: Windows Access Control Demystified.
  • ASA-2006-069: Windows Security Updates for March 2006 - (MS06-011 MS06-012)
  • CVE-2006-0023: Microsoft Windows XP SP1 and SP2 before August 2004, and possibly other operating systems and versions, uses insecure default ACLs that allow the Authenticated Users group to gain privileges by modifying critical configuration information for the (1) Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP), (2) Universal Plug and Play Device Host (UPnP), (3) NetBT, (4) SCardSvr, (5) DHCP, and (6) DnsCache services, aka Permissive Windows Services DACLs. NOTE: the NetBT, SCardSvr, DHCP, DnsCache already require privileged access to exploit.
  • SA18756: Windows Insecure Service Permissions Privilege Escalation
  • SA19238: Avaya Modular Messaging Windows Privilege Escalation Security Issues
  • SA19313: Nortel Centrex IP Client Manager Windows Privilege Escalation
  • SECTRACK ID: 1015595: Microsoft Windows UPnP/NetBT/SCardSvr/SSDP Services May Be Incorrectly Configured By 3rd Party Applications, Allowing Local Users to Gain Elevated Privileges
  • SECTRACK ID: 1015765: Microsoft Windows Services Have Unsafe Default ACLs That Let Remote Authenticated Users Gain Elevated Privileges
  • US-CERT VU#953860: Microsoft Windows privilege escalation vulnerability
  • VUPEN/ADV-2006-0417: Microsoft Windows Service ACLs Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Platforms Affected:

  • Microsoft Windows 2003
  • Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Itanium
  • Microsoft Windows XP SP1

Reported:

Feb 02, 2006

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