Security Bulletin
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS09-052 - Critical
Vulnerability in Windows Media Player Could Allow Remote Code Execution (974112)
Published: October 13, 2009 | Updated: January 12, 2010
Version: 1.2
General Information
Executive Summary
This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Windows Media Player. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a specially crafted ASF file is played using Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
This security update is rated Critical for Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4 when installed on all supported editions of Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.
The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the manner in which Windows Media Player 6.4 handles specially crafted ASF files. 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. The majority of 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, visit Microsoft Support Lifecycle.
Affected Software
Operating System | Component | Maximum Security Impact | Aggregate Severity Rating | Bulletins Replaced by this Update |
---|---|---|---|---|
Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 | Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4 | Remote Code Execution | Critical | None |
Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3 | Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4 | Remote Code Execution | Critical | MS08-076 |
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 | Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4 | Remote Code Execution | Critical | MS08-076 |
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 | Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4 | Remote Code Execution | Critical | MS08-076 |
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 | Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4 | Remote Code Execution | Critical | MS08-076 |
Non-Affected Software
Operating System | Component |
---|---|
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems | Not applicable |
Windows Vista, Windows Vista Service Pack 1, and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 | Not applicable |
Windows Vista x64 Edition, Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1, and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 | Not applicable |
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems and Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 | Not applicable |
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 | Not applicable |
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2 | Not applicable |
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems | Not applicable |
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems | Not applicable |
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems | Not applicable |
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems | Not applicable |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update
I do not have Windows Media Player 6.4 on my system. Why am I being offered this update?
After upgrading from Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4 to a later version of Windows Media Player, certain components related to Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4 are not completely removed from the system in order to ensure backwards compatibility. These components are updated by this bulletin. Although later versions of Windows Media Player are not affected by this vulnerability, a user may still be vulnerable if a program explicitly calls these older components when playing media. If you do not have this update applied after upgrading from Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4, automated scanning tools such as MBSA will detect that your system is vulnerable even though Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4 is not the default media player on the system. Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4 is the only version of Windows Media Player affected by the issue addressed in this bulletin, however all customers who are automatically offered the update should apply it to ensure that they are protected from this vulnerability.
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.
How does this bulletin relate to MS09-051, Vulnerability in Windows Media Runtime Could Allow Remote Code Execution?
This bulletin is not related to MS09-051, Vulnerability in Windows Media Runtime Could Allow Remote Code Execution. Users should install both updates to ensure they are fully protected.
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. To determine the support life cycle for your software release, visit Microsoft Support Lifecycle.
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. For more information about the Windows Product Lifecycle, visit Microsoft Support Lifecycle. For more information about the extended security update support period for these software versions or editions, visit Microsoft Product Support Services.
Customers who require custom support for older releases 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, visit Microsoft Worldwide Information, select the country, 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 Windows Operating System Product Support Lifecycle 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 October bulletin summary. For more information, see Microsoft Exploitability Index.
Affected Software | WMP Heap Overflow Vulnerability - CVE-2009-2527 | Aggregate Severity Rating |
---|---|---|
Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4 on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 | Critical \ Remote Code Execution | Critical |
Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4 on Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3 | Critical \ Remote Code Execution | Critical |
Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4 on Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 | Critical \ Remote Code Execution | Critical |
Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4 on Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 | Critical \ Remote Code Execution | Critical |
Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4 on Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 | Critical \ Remote Code Execution | Critical |
WMP Heap Overflow Vulnerability - CVE-2009-2527
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Windows Media Player 6.4. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted ASF file that could allow remote code execution when played using Windows Media Player 6.4. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system.
To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2009-2527.
Mitigating Factors for WMP Heap Overflow Vulnerability - CVE-2009-2527
Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:
- An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
- The vulnerability cannot be exploited automatically through e-mail. For an e-mail attack to be successful, a user must open an attachment that is sent in an e-mail message.
- In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a Web site that contains a Web page that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised Web sites and Web sites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these Web sites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link in an e-mail message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's Web site.
Workarounds for WMP Heap Overflow Vulnerability - CVE-2009-2527
Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:
Modify the Access Control List (ACL) on strmdll.dll
To modify the ACL on strmdll.dll to be more restrictive on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, run the following commands from a command prompt with administrative privileges:
For 32-bit Windows Systems:
Echo y| cacls %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\strmdll.DLL /E /P everyone:N
For x64-based Windows Systems:
Echo y| cacls %WINDIR%\SYSWOW64\strmdll.DLL /E /P everyone:N
Impact of workaround. Windows Media Player 6.4 will not be able to play media files.
How to undo the workaround.
On Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, run the following commands from a command prompt with administrative privileges:
For 32-bit Windows Systems:
cacls %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\strmdll.dll /E /R everyone
For x64-based Windows Systems:
cacls %WINDIR%\SYSWOW64\strmdll.dll /E /R everyone
For non-multimedia folder types, the Windows shell attack vector can be mitigated by using Windows Classic Folders
To change folder options, perform the following steps:
Click Start, click Control Panel, click Appearance and Themes, and then click Folder Options. Or, open any folder, such as My Documents, and on the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
On the General tab, under Tasks, select Use Windows classic folders.
FAQ for WMP Heap Overflow Vulnerability - CVE-2009-2527
What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability. If a user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
What causes the vulnerability?
Windows Media Player 6.4 incorrectly handles specially crafted ASF files.
What is Advanced Systems Format (ASF)?
ASF is a file format that stores audio and video information and is specially designed to run over networks like the Internet. It is a compressed format that can contain streaming audio, video, slide shows, and synchronized events. ASF enables content to be delivered to you as a continuous flow of data. ASF files may have the file extensions ASF, WMV, or WMA.
What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.
How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
Exploitation of this vulnerability requires that a user open a specially crafted ASF file or receive specially crafted streaming content from a Web site or any application that delivers Web content.
If a malicious ASF file is hosted on a computer with the affected software, simply browsing to the folder in Windows Explorer will parse the file far enough to trigger the vulnerability.
What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Any system using Windows Media Player 6.4, such as workstations or terminal servers, is at risk from this vulnerability.
What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the manner in which Windows Media Player 6.4 handles specially crafted ASF files.
When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through responsible disclosure.
When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers and had not seen any examples of proof of concept code published when this security bulletin was originally issued.
Update Information
Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance
Manage the software and security updates you need to deploy to the servers, desktop, and mobile systems in your organization. For more information see the TechNet Update Management Center. The Microsoft TechNet Security Web site provides additional information about security in Microsoft products.
Security updates are available from Microsoft Update and Windows Update. Security updates are also available from the Microsoft Download Center. You can find them most easily by doing a keyword search for "security update."
Finally, security updates can be downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The Microsoft Update Catalog provides a searchable catalog of content made available through Windows Update and Microsoft Update, including security updates, drivers and service packs. By searching using the security bulletin number (such as, "MS07-036"), you can add all of the applicable updates to your basket (including different languages for an update), and download to the folder of your choosing. For more information about the Microsoft Update Catalog, see the Microsoft Update Catalog FAQ.
Note Microsoft discontinued support for Office Update and the Office Update Inventory Tool as of August 1, 2009. To continue getting the latest updates for Microsoft Office products, use Microsoft Update. For more information, see About Microsoft Office Update: Frequently Asked Questions.
Detection and Deployment Guidance
Microsoft provides detection and deployment guidance for security updates. This guidance contains recommendations and information that can help IT professionals understand how to use various tools for detection and deployment of security updates. For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 961747.
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) allows administrators to scan local and remote systems for missing security updates as well as common security misconfigurations. For more information about MBSA, visit Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer.
The following table provides the MBSA detection summary for this security update.
Software | MBSA 2.1 |
---|---|
Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 | Yes |
Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3 | Yes |
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 | Yes |
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 | Yes |
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 | Yes |
For more information about MBSA 2.1, see MBSA 2.1 Frequently Asked Questions.
Windows Server Update Services
By using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), administrators can deploy the latest critical updates and security updates for Windows 2000 operating systems and later, Office XP and later, Exchange Server 2003, and SQL Server 2000. For more information about how to deploy this security update using Windows Server Update Services, visit the Windows Server Update Services Web site.
Systems Management Server
The following table provides the SMS detection and deployment summary for this security update.
Software | SMS 2.0 | SMS 2003 with SUIT | SMS 2003 with ITMU | Configuration Manager 2007 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 | No | No | Yes | Yes |
For SMS 2.0 and SMS 2003, the Security Update Inventory Tool (SUIT) can be used by SMS to detect security updates. See also Downloads for Systems Management Server 2.0.
For SMS 2003, the SMS 2003 Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates (ITMU) can be used by SMS to detect security updates that are offered by Microsoft Update and that are supported by Windows Server Update Services. For more information about the SMS 2003 ITMU, see SMS 2003 Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates. For more information about SMS scanning tools, see SMS 2003 Software Update Scanning Tools. See also Downloads for Systems Management Server 2003.
System Center Configuration Manager 2007 uses WSUS 3.0 for detection of updates. For more information about Configuration Manager 2007 Software Update Management, visit System Center Configuration Manager 2007.
For more information about SMS, visit the SMS Web site.
For more detailed information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 910723: Summary list of monthly detection and deployment guidance articles.
Update Compatibility Evaluator and Application Compatibility Toolkit
Updates often write to the same files and registry settings required for your applications to run. This can trigger incompatibilities and increase the time it takes to deploy security updates. You can streamline testing and validating Windows updates against installed applications with the Update Compatibility Evaluator components included with Application Compatibility Toolkit.
The Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) contains the necessary tools and documentation to evaluate and mitigate application compatibility issues before deploying Microsoft Windows Vista, a Windows Update, a Microsoft Security Update, or a new version of Windows Internet Explorer in your environment.
Security Update Deployment
Affected Software
For information about the specific security update for your affected software, click the appropriate link:
Windows 2000 (all editions)
Reference Table
The following table contains the security update information for this software. You can find additional information in the subsection, Deployment Information, in this section.
Inclusion in Future Service Packs | The update for this issue may be included in a future update rollup |
---|---|
Deployment | |
Installing without user intervention | WindowsMedia64-KB974112-x86-ENU /quiet |
Installing without restarting | WindowsMedia64-KB974112-x86-ENU /norestart |
Update log file | KB974112.log |
Further information | See the subsection, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance |
Restart Requirement | |
Restart required? | In some cases, this update does not require a restart. If the required files are being used, this update will require a restart. If this behavior occurs, a message appears that advises you to restart.\ \ To help reduce the chance that a restart will be required, stop all affected services and close all applications that may use the affected files prior to installing the security update. For more information about the reasons why you may be prompted to restart, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 887012. |
HotPatching | Not applicable |
Removal Information | Use Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel or the Spuninst.exe utility located in the %Windir%$NTUninstallKB974112_WM41$\Spuninst folder |
File Information | See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 974112 |
Registry Key Verification | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows Media Player 6.4\SP0\KB974112_WM41\Filelist\ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows Media Player 6.4\KB974112_WM41 |
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, visit the Microsoft TechNet Web site.
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. |
/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. |
Note You can combine these switches into one command. For backward compatibility, the security update also supports the setup switches that the earlier version of the Setup program uses. For more information about the supported installation switches, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 262841.
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. |
Verifying That the Update Has Been Applied
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 of the 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.
Windows XP (all editions)
Reference Table
The following table contains the security update information for this software. You can find additional information in the subsection, Deployment Information, in this section.
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 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3:\ WindowsXP-KB974112-x86-enu /quiet |
For Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2:\ WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB974112-x64-enu /quiet | |
Installing without restarting | For Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3:\ WindowsXP-KB974112-x86-enu /norestart |
For Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2:\ WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB974112-x64-enu /norestart | |
Update log file | KB974112.log |
Further information | See the subsection, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance |
Restart Requirement | |
Restart required? | In some cases, this update does not require a restart. If the required files are being used, this update will require a restart. If this behavior occurs, a message appears that advises you to restart.\ \ To help reduce the chance that a restart will be required, stop all affected services and close all applications that may use the affected files prior to installing the security update. For more information about the reasons why you may be prompted to restart, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 887012. |
HotPatching | Not applicable |
Removal Information | Use Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel or the Spuninst.exe utility located in the %Windir%$NTUninstallKB974112$\Spuninst folder |
File Information | See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 974112 |
Registry Key Verification | For all supported 32-bit editions of Windows XP:\ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows XP\SP4\KB974112\Filelist |
For all supported x64-based editions of Windows XP:\ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows XP Version 2003\SP3\KB974112\Filelist |
Note For supported versions of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, this security update is the same as supported versions of the Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition security update.
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, visit the Microsoft TechNet Web site.
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. |
Note You can combine these switches into one command. For backward compatibility, the security update also supports the setup switches that the earlier version of the Setup program uses. For more information about the supported installation switches, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 262841.
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. |
Verifying That the Update Has Been Applied
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 of the 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.
Windows Server 2003 (all editions)
Reference Table
The following table contains the security update information for this software. You can find additional information in the subsection, Deployment Information, in this section.
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 all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Server 2003:\ WindowsServer2003-KB974112-x86-enu /quiet |
For all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB974112-x64-enu /quiet | |
Installing without restarting | For all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Server 2003:\ WindowsServer2003-KB974112-x86-enu /norestart |
For all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB974112-x64-enu /norestart | |
Update log file | KB974112.log |
Further information | See the subsection, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance |
Restart Requirement | |
Restart required? | In some cases, this update does not require a restart. If the required files are being used, this update will require a restart. If this behavior occurs, a message appears that advises you to restart.\ \ To help reduce the chance that a restart will be required, stop all affected services and close all applications that may use the affected files prior to installing the security update. For more information about the reasons why you may be prompted to restart, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 887012. |
HotPatching | This security update does not support HotPatching. For more information about HotPatching, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 897341. |
Removal Information | Use Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel or the Spuninst.exe utility located in the %Windir%$NTUninstallKB974112$\Spuninst folder |
File Information | See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 974112 |
Registry Key Verification | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows Server 2003\SP3\KB974112\Filelist |
Deployment Information
Installing the Update
When you install this security update, the installer checks to see if 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, visit the Microsoft TechNet Web site.
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. |
Note You can combine these switches into one command. For backward compatibility, the security update also supports many of the setup switches that the earlier version of the Setup program uses. For more information about the supported installation switches, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 262841.
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. |
Verifying that the Update Has Been Applied
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 of the 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:
- Yamata Li of Palo Alto Networks for reporting the WMP Heap Overflow Vulnerability (CVE-2009-2527)
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 visit the active protections Web sites provided by program partners, listed in Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP) Partners.
Support
- Customers in the U.S. and Canada can receive technical support from Security Support or 1-866-PCSAFETY. There is no charge for support calls that are associated with security updates. For more information about available support options, see Microsoft Help and Support.
- International customers can receive support from their local Microsoft subsidiaries. There is no charge for support that is associated with security updates. For more information about how to contact Microsoft for support issues, visit the International Support Web site.
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 (October 13, 2009): Bulletin published.
- V1.1 (October 29, 2009): Removed a workaround. Also added an entry in the section, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update, to clarify why some customers without Windows Media Player 6.4 on their systems may be offered this update.
- V1.2 (January 12, 2010): Corrected registry keys for Windows Media Player 6.4 on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4. This is an informational update only.
Built at 2014-04-18T13:49:36Z-07:00