Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-007 - Important

• 10/11/2017
• 18 minutes to read
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Security Update for Microsoft Windows to Address Remote Code Execution (3124901)

Published: January 12, 2016 | Updated: January 27, 2016

Version: 1.1

Executive Summary

This security update resolves vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows. The most severe of the vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if an attacker is able to log on to a target system and run a specially crafted application.

This security update is rated Important for all supported releases of Microsoft Windows. For more information, see the Affected Software section.

The security update addresses the vulnerabilities by:

• Correcting how Windows validates input before loading DLL files,
• Correcting how Microsoft DirectShow validates user input
• Enforcing the default setting of not allowing remote logon for accounts without passwords.

For more information about the vulnerabilities, see the Vulnerability Information section.

For more information about this update, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 3124901.

Affected Software and Vulnerability Severity Ratings

The following software versions or editions are affected. Versions or editions that are not listed 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.

The severity ratings indicated for each affected software 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 January bulletin summary.

^[2]This update is only available via Windows Update.

^[3]Windows 10 updates are cumulative. In addition to containing non-security updates, they also contain all of the security fixes for all of the Windows 10-affected vulnerabilities shipping with the monthly security release. The update is available via the Windows Update Catalog.

^[4]Customers running Windows 10 or Windows 10 Version 1511 who have Citrix XenDesktop installed will not be offered the update. Because of a Citrix issue with the XenDesktop software, users who install the update will be prevented from logging on. To stay protected, Microsoft recommends uninstalling the incompatible software and installing this update. Customers should contact Citrix for more information and help with this XenDesktop software issue.

The third-party products that this bulletin discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.

Note Windows Server Technical Preview 3 and Windows Server Technical Preview 4 are affected. Customers running these operating systems are encouraged to apply the update, which is available via Windows Update.

*The Updates Replaced column shows only the latest update in any chain of superseded updates. For a comprehensive list of updates replaced, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog, search for the update KB number, and then view update details (updates replaced information is provided on the Package Details tab).

Update FAQ

I am not being offered update 3121461. Are specific systems not affected by the vulnerability discussed in CVE-2016-0018?
Yes. Systems with versions of %windir%\system32\aepic.dll less than 10.0 are not affected. If your system has a version of aepic.dll that is greater than 10.0 and less than 10.0.11065, you must install update 3121461 to be protected from this vulnerability. If you have a version of aepic.dll that is less than 10.0, your system is not affected by CVE-2016-0018 and you will not be offered update 3121461. Installing KB3121461 when not affected by CVE-2016-0018 is supported but not necessary or recommended.

To verify the version number for aepic.dll, in File Explorer navigate to %windir%\system32\aepic.dll.

I am running one of the operating systems that is listed in the affected software table for update 3109560. Why am I not being offered this update?
On supported editions of Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2, the update only applies if the Desktop Experience feature is enabled. For more information about the Desktop Experience feature, refer to the following:

For Windows Server 2008, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 947036.

For Windows Server 2008 R2, see Desktop Experience Overview.

For Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2, see Desktop Experience Overview.

Vulnerability Information

Multiple DLL Loading Elevation of Privilege Vulnerabilities

Multiple elevation of privilege vulnerabilities exist when Windows improperly validates input before loading dynamic link library (DLL) files. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerabilities could elevate their privileges on a targeted system.

To exploit the vulnerabilities, an attacker would first have to log on to the target system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application that could exploit the vulnerabilities and take control over an affected system. The update addresses the vulnerabilities by correcting how Windows validates input before loading DLL files.

The following table contains links to the standard entry for each vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list: