Security Bulletin
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS12-053 - Critical
Vulnerability in Remote Desktop Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2723135)
Published: August 14, 2012 | Updated: October 10, 2012
Version: 2.1
General Information
Executive Summary
This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in the Remote Desktop Protocol. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if an attacker sends a sequence of specially crafted RDP packets to an affected system. By default, the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is not enabled on any Windows operating system. Systems that do not have RDP enabled are not at risk.
This security update is rated Critical for all supported editions of Windows XP. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.
The security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that the Remote Desktop Protocol processes packets in memory. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection for the specific vulnerability entry under the next section, Vulnerability Information.
Recommendation. Most customers have automatic updating enabled and will not need to take any action because this security update will be downloaded and installed automatically. Customers who have not enabled automatic updating need to check for updates and install this update manually. For information about specific configuration options in automatic updating, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 294871.
For administrators and enterprise installations, or end users who want to install this security update manually, Microsoft recommends that customers apply the update immediately using update management software, or by checking for updates using the Microsoft Update service.
See also the section, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance, later in this bulletin.
Known Issues. None
Affected and Non-Affected Software
The following software have been tested to determine which versions or editions are affected. Other versions or editions are either past their support life cycle or are not affected. To determine the support life cycle for your software version or edition, see Microsoft Support Lifecycle.
Affected Software
Operating System | Maximum Security Impact | Aggregate Severity Rating | Updates Replaced |
---|---|---|---|
Windows XP Service Pack 3 (KB2723135) |
Remote Code Execution | Critical | KB2685939 in MS12-036 replaced by KB2723135 |
Non-Affected Software
Operating System |
---|
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 |
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 |
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 |
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems |
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 |
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 |
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 |
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 |
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2 |
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems |
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 |
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems |
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 |
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems |
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 |
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems |
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update
I have already successfully installed the original KB2723135 update. Do I need to apply the KB2723135 update packages rereleased on October 9, 2012?
No. The rereleased update only applies to Windows XP systems on which the original update has not been installed. Customers who have already successfully installed the original KB2723135 update on their Windows XP systems do not need to take any action. Customers will not be reoffered the update if it is already installed on their systems.
Why was this bulletin revised on October 9, 2012
Microsoft revised this bulletin to rerelease the KB2723135 update for Windows XP to address an issue involving specific digital certificates that were generated by Microsoft without proper timestamp attributes. For more information see Microsoft Security Advisory KB 2749655.
Where are the file information details?
Refer to the reference tables in the Security Update Deployment section for the location of the file information details.
Where are the hashes of the security updates?
The SHA1 and SHA2 hashes of the security updates can be used to verify the authenticity of downloaded security update packages. For the hash information pertaining to this update, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2723135.
I'm running an affected operating system, but I do not have Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) enabled. Will I still be offered this update?
Yes. Although systems that do not have RDP enabled are not at risk from the vulnerabilities, customers who have not enabled RDP will still be offered this update in order to help ensure the protection of their systems.
I am using an older release of the software discussed in this security bulletin. What should I do?
The affected software listed in this bulletin have been tested to determine which releases are affected. Other releases are past their support life cycle. For more information about the product lifecycle, see the Microsoft Support Lifecycle website.
It should be a priority for customers who have older releases of the software to migrate to supported releases to prevent potential exposure to vulnerabilities. To determine the support lifecycle for your software release, see Select a Product for Lifecycle Information. For more information about service packs for these software releases, see Service Pack Lifecycle Support Policy.
Customers who require custom support for older software must contact their Microsoft account team representative, their Technical Account Manager, or the appropriate Microsoft partner representative for custom support options. Customers without an Alliance, Premier, or Authorized Contract can contact their local Microsoft sales office. For contact information, see the Microsoft Worldwide Information website, select the country in the Contact Information list, and then click Go to see a list of telephone numbers. When you call, ask to speak with the local Premier Support sales manager. For more information, see the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ.
Vulnerability Information
Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers
The following severity ratings assume the potential maximum impact of the vulnerability. For information regarding the likelihood, within 30 days of this security bulletin's release, of the exploitability of the vulnerability in relation to its severity rating and security impact, please see the Exploitability Index in the August bulletin summary. For more information, see Microsoft Exploitability Index.
Affected Software | Remote Desktop Protocol Vulnerability - CVE-2012-2526 | Aggregate Severity Rating |
---|---|---|
Windows XP Service Pack 3 | Critical Remote Code Execution |
Critical |
Inclusion in Future Service Packs | The update for this issue will be included in a future service pack or update rollup |
Deployment | |
Installing without user intervention | For Windows XP Service Pack 3: WindowsXP-KB2723135-v2-x86-ENU.exe /quiet |
Installing without restarting | For Windows XP Service Pack 3: WindowsXP-KB2723135-v2-x86-ENU.exe /norestart |
Update log file | KB2723135-v2.log |
Further information | See the subsection, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance |
Restart Requirement | |
Restart required? | Yes, you must restart your system after you apply this security update. |
HotPatching | Not applicable |
Removal Information | Use Add or Remove Programs item in Control Panel or the Spuninst.exe utility located in the %Windir%\$NTUninstallKB2723135-v2$\Spuninst folder |
File Information | See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2723135 |
Registry Key Verification | For all supported 32-bit editions of Windows XP: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows XP\SP4\KB2723135-v2\Filelist |
Deployment Information
Installing the Update
When you install this security update, the installer checks whether 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 installer, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 832475.
For more information about the terminology that appears in this bulletin, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.
This security update supports the following setup switches.
Switch | Description |
---|---|
**/help** | Displays the command-line options. |
**Setup Modes** | |
**/passive** | Unattended Setup mode. No user interaction is required, but installation status is displayed. If a restart is required at the end of Setup, a dialog box will be presented to the user with a timer warning that the computer will restart in 30 seconds. |
**/quiet** | Quiet mode. This is the same as unattended mode, but no status or error messages are displayed. |
**Restart Options** | |
**/norestart** | Does not restart when installation has completed. |
**/forcerestart** | Restarts the computer after installation and force other applications to close at shutdown without saving open files first. |
**/warnrestart\[:x\]** | Presents a dialog box with a timer warning the user that the computer will restart in *x* seconds. (The default setting is 30 seconds.) Intended for use with the **/quiet** switch or the **/passive** switch. |
**/promptrestart** | Displays a dialog box prompting the local user to allow a restart. |
**Special Options** | |
**/overwriteoem** | Overwrites OEM files without prompting. |
**/nobackup** | Does not back up files needed for uninstall. |
**/forceappsclose** | Forces other programs to close when the computer shuts down. |
**/log:path** | Allows the redirection of installation log files. |
**/integrate:path** | Integrates the update into the Windows source files. These files are located at the path that is specified in the switch. |
**/extract\[:path\]** | Extracts files without starting the Setup program. |
**/ER** | Enables extended error reporting. |
**/verbose** | Enables verbose logging. During installation, creates %Windir%\\CabBuild.log. This log details the files that are copied. Using this switch may cause the installation to proceed more slowly. |
Removing the Update
This security update supports the following setup switches.
Switch | Description |
---|---|
**/help** | Displays the command-line options. |
Setup Modes | |
**/passive** | Unattended Setup mode. No user interaction is required, but installation status is displayed. If a restart is required at the end of Setup, a dialog box will be presented to the user with a timer warning that the computer will restart in 30 seconds. |
**/quiet** | Quiet mode. This is the same as unattended mode, but no status or error messages are displayed. |
Restart Options | |
**/norestart** | Does not restart when installation has completed |
**/forcerestart** | Restarts the computer after installation and force other applications to close at shutdown without saving open files first. |
**/warnrestart\[:x\]** | Presents a dialog box with a timer warning the user that the computer will restart in *x* seconds. (The default setting is 30 seconds.) Intended for use with the **/quiet** switch or the **/passive** switch. |
**/promptrestart** | Displays a dialog box prompting the local user to allow a restart. |
Special Options | |
**/forceappsclose** | Forces other programs to close when the computer shuts down. |
**/log:path** | Allows the redirection of installation log files. |
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
To verify that a security update has been applied to an affected system, you may be able to use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) tool. See the section, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance, earlier in this bulletin for more information.File Version Verification
Because there are several editions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your system. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.- Click Start, and then click Search.
- In the Search Results pane, click All files and folders under Search Companion.
- In the All or part of the file name box, type a file name from the appropriate file information table, and then click Search.
- In the list of files, right-click a file name from the appropriate file information table, and then click Properties.
Note Depending on the edition of the operating system, or the programs that are installed on your system, some files that are listed in the file information table may not be installed. - On the Version tab, determine the version of the file that is installed on your system by comparing it to the version that is documented in the appropriate file information table.
Note Attributes other than the file version may change during installation. Comparing other file attributes to the information in the file information table is not a supported method of verifying that the update has been applied. Also, in certain cases, files may be renamed during installation. If the file or version information is not present, use one of the other available methods to verify update installation.
Registry Key Verification
You may also be able to verify the files that this security update has installed by reviewing the registry keys listed in the Reference Table in this section.These registry keys may not contain a complete list of installed files. Also, these registry keys may not be created correctly when an administrator or an OEM integrates or slipstreams this security update into the Windows installation source files.
Other Information
Acknowledgments
Microsoft thanks the following for working with us to help protect customers:
- Edward Torkington of NCC Group for reporting the Remote Desktop Protocol Vulnerability (CVE-2012-2526)
Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP)
To improve security protections for customers, Microsoft provides vulnerability information to major security software providers in advance of each monthly security update release. Security software providers can then use this vulnerability information to provide updated protections to customers via their security software or devices, such as antivirus, network-based intrusion detection systems, or host-based intrusion prevention systems. To determine whether active protections are available from security software providers, please go to the active protections websites provided by program partners, listed in Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP) Partners.
Support
How to obtain help and support for this security update
- Help installing updates: Support for Microsoft Update
- Security solutions for IT professionals: TechNet Security Troubleshooting and Support
- Help protect your computer that is running Windows from viruses and malware: Virus Solution and Security Center
- Local support according to your country: International Support
Disclaimer
The information provided in the Microsoft Knowledge Base is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Microsoft disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.
Revisions
- V1.0 (August 14, 2012): Bulletin published.
- V2.0 (October 9, 2012): Revised bulletin to rerelease the KB2723135 update for Windows XP. Customers do not need to apply the rereleased update packages to avoid an issue with digital certificates described in Microsoft Security Advisory 2749655.
- V2.1 (October 10, 2012): For the rereleased KB2723135 update, added an FAQ entry to provide deployment guidance. See the update FAQ for details.
Built at 2014-04-18T13:49:36Z-07:00