Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS00-069)

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Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS00-069)
- --------------------------------------

Patch Available for "Simplified Chinese IME State Recognition"
Vulnerability
Originally posted: September 29, 2000

Summary
=======
Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a security
vulnerability in Microsoft(r) Windows(r) 2000. The vulnerability
could allow a malicious user to gain complete control over an
affected machine.

Frequently asked questions regarding this vulnerability and the patch
can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq00-069.asp

Issue
=====
Input Method Editors (IMEs) enable character-based languages such as
Chinese to be entered via a standard 101-key keyboard. When an IME is
installed as part of the system setup, it is available by default as
part of the logon screen. In such a case, the IME should recognize
that it is running in the context of the LocalSystem and not in the
context of a user, and restrict certain functions. However, the IME
for Simplified Chinese does not correctly recognize the machine
state, and exposes inappropriate functions as part of the logon
screen. As a result, a malicious user who had access to either a
physical keyboard or a terminal server session on an affected machine
could gain LocalSystem privilege even without logging onto the
machine.

This vulnerability only affects the Simplified Chinese version of
Windows 2000 by default - customers using any other version of
Windows 2000 are not affected. Even if the Simplified Chinese IMEs
were installed after setup as part of a language pack, it would not
be present as part of the logon screen and therefore would not pose a
security threat. The vulnerability allows only the local machine to
be compromised, but does not grant any domain privileges (unless, of
course, the local machine happens to be a domain controller). Because
the vulnerability is exposed as part of the logon screen, it could
only be exploited by a user who had physical access to a keyboard, or
who could start a terminal server session on an affected machine. If
best practices - which strongly recommend against giving normal users
physical access to critical servers, or allowing terminal server
session on such servers - have been followed, this vulnerability
would affect only workstations and terminal servers.

Affected Software Versions
==========================
 - Microsoft Windows 2000

Note: Only the Simplified Chinese version of Windows 2000 is affected
by default. Customers running any other language version of Windows
2000 only need to take action if they installed a Simplified Chinese
IME during system setup.

Patch Availability
==================
 - Microsoft Windows 2000, Simplified Chinese version:
   http://www.microsoft.com/Downloads/Release.asp?ReleaseID=24631
 - Microsoft Windows 2000, English version:
   http://www.microsoft.com/Downloads/Release.asp?ReleaseID=24627

Note: This patch can be installed on systems running Windows 2000,
either with or without Service Pack 1. The patch will be incorporated
into Service Pack 2.

Note: Additional security patches are available at the Microsoft
Download Center

More Information
================
Please see the following references for more information related to
this issue.
 - Frequently Asked Questions: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS00-069,
   http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq00-069.asp
 - Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q270676 discusses this issue and
will be available soon.
 - Microsoft TechNet Security web site,
   http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/default.asp

Obtaining Support on this Issue
===============================
This is a fully supported patch. Information on contacting Microsoft
Product Support Services is available at
http://support.microsoft.com/support/contact/default.asp.

Revisions
=========
 - September 29, 2000: Bulletin Created.

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THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last Updated September 29, 2000

(c) 2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of use.


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