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CERT^® Advisory CA-2002-37 Buffer Overflow in Microsoft Windows Shell

Original release date: December 19, 2002
Last revised: --
Source: CERT/CC

A complete revision history can be found at the end of this file.

Systems Affected

All versions of Microsoft Windows XP

Overview

A buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the Microsoft Windows Shell. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by enticing a victim to read a malicious email message, visit a malicious web page, or browse to a folder containing a malicious .MP3 or .WMA file. The attacker can then execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim.

I. Description

The Microsoft Windows Shell provides the basic human-computer interface for Windows systems. Browsing local and remote folders, running wizards, and performing configuration tasks are examples of operations utilizing the Windows Shell. Microsoft describes the Windows Shell as follows:

The Windows Shell is responsible for providing the basic framework of the Windows user interface experience. It is most familiar to users as the Windows Desktop, but also provides a variety of other functions to help define the user's computing session, including organizing files and folders, and providing the means to start applications.

A vulnerability exists in the Windows Shell function used to extract attribute information from audio files. This function is invoked automatically when a user browses to a folder containing .MP3 or .WMA files. Further information about this vulnerability can be found in the following documents:

Foundstone Research Labs Advisory FS2002-11

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS02-072

CERT/CC Vulnerability Note VU#591890

A CVE candidate CAN-2002-1327 has been assigned as well.

II. Impact

An attacker can either execute arbitrary code (which would run with the privileges of the victim) or crash the Windows Shell.

III. Solution

Apply a patch from your vendor

Appendix A contains information provided by vendors for this advisory. As vendors report new information to the CERT/CC, we will update this section and note the changes in our revision history. If a particular vendor is not listed below, we have not received their comments. Please contact your vendor directly.

Note that Microsoft is actively deploying the patch for this vulnerability via Windows Update.

Appendix A. - Vendor Information

Microsoft Corporation

Please see http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/?url=/technet/security/bulletin/MS02-072.asp.

Appendix B. - References

Foundstone Research Labs discovered this vulnerability.

Author: Ian A. Finlay.

This document is available from: http://www.cert.org/advisories/CA-2002-37.html

CERT/CC Contact Information

Email: cert@cert.org
Phone: +1 412-268-7090 (24-hour hotline)
Fax: +1 412-268-6989
Postal address:

CERT Coordination Center
Software Engineering Institute
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh PA 15213-3890
U.S.A.

CERT/CC personnel answer the hotline 08:00-17:00 EST(GMT-5) / EDT(GMT-4) Monday through Friday; they are on call for emergencies during other hours, on U.S. holidays, and on weekends.

Using encryption

We strongly urge you to encrypt sensitive information sent by email. Our public PGP key is available from

http://www.cert.org/CERT_PGP.key

If you prefer to use DES, please call the CERT hotline for more information.

Getting security information

CERT publications and other security information are available from our web site

http://www.cert.org/

* "CERT" and "CERT Coordination Center" are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

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Revision History

December 19, 2002: Initial release

CERT® Advisory CA-2002-37 Buffer Overflow in Microsoft Windows Shell