Microsoft Security Bulletin MS01-007 (version 2.0)

[Microsoft Product Security <secnotif () MICROSOFT COM>]

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Title:      Patch Available for "Network DDE Agent Request"
            Vulnerability
Released:   05 February 2001
Revised:    09 February 2001 (Version 2.0)
Software:   Windows 2000
Impact:     Privilege elevation
Bulletin:   MS01-007

Microsoft encourages customers to review the Security Bulletin at:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS01-007.asp.
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Reason for Revision:
=====================
The original version of this bulletin stated that terminal servers
are not affected by the vulnerability.  We have subsequently found
that they actually are affected, and have updated both the bulletin
and the narrative below to reflect this.  The patch provided in the
bulletin can be applied to terminal servers.

Issue:
======
Network Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) is a technology that enables
applications on different Windows computers to dynamically share
data. This sharing is effected via communications channels called
trusted shares, which are managed by a service called the Network DDE
Agent. By design, processes on the local machine can levy requests
upon the Network DDE Agent, including ones that indicate what
application should be run in conjunction with a particular trusted
share. However, a vulnerability exists because, in Windows 2000, the
Network DDE Agent runs using the Local System security context and
processes all requests using this context, rather than that of the
user. This would give an attacker an opportunity to cause the Network
DDE Agent to run code of her choice in Local System context, as a
means of gaining complete control over the local machine.

Microsoft recommends that customers using Windows 2000 workstations
or who allow unprivileged users to run code on Windows 2000 servers
apply the patch immediately. In addition, customers operating Windows
2000 web servers should consider applying the patch to those machines
as well, as a precautionary measure. If an attacker were able to gain
the ability to run code in a restricted context on a web server via
another vulnerability, this vulnerability would provide a way to
immediately elevate her privileges and cause broader damage.

Mitigating Factors:
====================
 - Servers could only be affected if the attacker were given the
   ability to load a program of her choice onto the machine and
   execute it locally.  Best practices recommend against this.
 - The machines primarily at risk, workstations and terminal servers,
   typically would not provide a way for the attacker to use control
   over the local machine to gain domain-wide privileges

Patch Availability:
===================
 - A patch is available to fix this vulnerability. Please read the
   Security Bulletin
   http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms01-007.asp
   for information on obtaining this patch.

Acknowledgment:
===============
 - Dildog of @Stake (http://www.atstake.com)

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