Microsoft Security Bulletin MS14-003 - Important

Vulnerability in Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2913602)

Published: January 14, 2014

Version: 1.0

General Information

Executive Summary

This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. The vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege if a user logs onto the system and runs a specially crafted application. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system.

This security update is rated Important for all supported editions of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the way that Windows handles thread owned objects. 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. Most 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 at the earliest opportunity 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.

Knowledge Base Article

  • Knowledge Base Article: 2913602
  • File Information: Yes
  • SHA1/SHA2 hashes: Yes
  • Known issues: None

 

Affected and Non-Affected Software

The following software has 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, see Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

Affected Software 

Operating System Maximum Security Impact Aggregate Severity Rating Updates Replaced
Windows 7
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 (2913602) Elevation of Privilege Important 2893984 in MS13-101
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (2913602) Elevation of Privilege Important 2893984 in MS13-101
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (2913602) Elevation of Privilege Important 2893984 in MS13-101
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 (2913602) Elevation of Privilege Important 2893984 in MS13-101
Server Core installation option
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation) (2913602) Elevation of Privilege Important 2893984 in MS13-101

 

Non-Affected Software

Operating System
Windows XP Service Pack 3
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems
Windows Vista Service Pack 2
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2
Windows 8 for 32-bit Systems
Windows 8 for x64-based Systems
Windows 8.1 for 32-bit Systems
Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows RT
Windows RT 8.1
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)

Update FAQ

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 has been tested to determine which releases are affected. Other releases are past their support life cycle. For more information about the product lifecycle, see the Microsoft Support Lifecycle website.

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. To determine the support lifecycle for your software release, see Select a Product for Lifecycle Information. For more information about service packs for these software releases, see Service Pack Lifecycle Support Policy.

Customers who require custom support for older software 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, see the Microsoft Worldwide Information website, select the country in the Contact Information list, 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 Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ.

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 January bulletin summary. For more information, see Microsoft Exploitability Index.

Vulnerability Severity Rating and Maximum Security Impact by Affected Software
Affected Software Win32k Window Handle Vulnerability - CVE-2014-0262 Aggregate Severity Rating
Windows 7
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Important  Elevation of Privilege Important
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Important  Elevation of Privilege Important
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Important  Elevation of Privilege Important
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 Important  Elevation of Privilege Important
Server Core installation option
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation) Important  Elevation of Privilege Important

Win32k Window Handle Vulnerability - CVE-2014-0262

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the Windows kernel-mode driver improperly uses window handle thread objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2014-0262.

Mitigating Factors

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:

  • To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.

FAQ

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is an elevation of privilege vulnerability.

What causes the vulnerability?
The vulnerability is caused when the Windows kernel-mode driver improperly uses window handle thread owned objects.

What is the Windows kernel-mode driver (win32k.sys)?
Win32k.sys is a kernel-mode device driver and is the kernel part of the Windows subsystem. It contains the window manager, which controls window displays; manages screen output; collects input from the keyboard, mouse, and other devices; and passes user messages to applications. It also contains the Graphics Device Interface (GDI), which is a library of functions for graphics output devices. Finally, it serves as a wrapper for DirectX support that is implemented in another driver (dxgkrnl.sys).

What is the Windows kernel?
The Windows kernel is the core of the operating system. It provides system-level services such as device management and memory management, allocates processor time to processes, and manages error handling.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run processes in an elevated context.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application designed to increase privileges.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Workstations are primarily at risk.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the way that Windows handles thread owned objects.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability 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 when this security bulletin was originally issued.

Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance

Several resources are available to help administrators deploy security updates. 

  • Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) lets administrators scan local and remote systems for missing security updates and common security misconfigurations. 
  • Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Systems Management Server (SMS), and System Center Configuration Manager help administrators distribute security updates. 
  • The Update Compatibility Evaluator components included with Application Compatibility Toolkit aid in streamlining the testing and validation of Windows updates against installed applications. 

For information about these and other tools that are available, see Security Tools for IT Pros

Security Update Deployment

Windows 7 (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software.

Security update file name For all supported 32-bit editions of Windows 7:\ Windows6.1-KB2913602-x86.msu
\ For all supported x64-based editions of Windows 7:\ Windows6.1-KB2913602-x64.msu
Installation switches See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 934307
Restart requirement Yes, you must restart your system after you apply this security update.
Removal information To uninstall an update installed by WUSA, use the /Uninstall setup switch or click Control Panel, click System and Security, and then under Windows Update, click View installed updates and select from the list of updates.
File information See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2913602
Registry key verification Note A registry key does not exist to validate the presence of this update.

Windows Server 2008 R2 (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software.

Security update file name For all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2008 R2:\ Windows6.1-KB2913602-x64.msu
\ For all supported Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2008 R2:\ Windows6.1-KB2913602-ia64.msu
Installation switches See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 934307
Restart requirement Yes, you must restart your system after you apply this security update.
Removal information To uninstall an update installed by WUSA, use the /Uninstall setup switch or click Control Panel, click System and Security, and then under Windows Update, click View installed updates and select from the list of updates.
File information See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2913602
Registry key verification Note A registry key does not exist to validate the presence of this update.

Acknowledgments

Microsoft thanks the following for working with us to help protect customers:

  • xiaohong shi of Qihoo for reporting the Win32k Window Handle Vulnerability (CVE-2014-0262)

Other Information

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 go to the active protections websites provided by program partners, listed in Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP) Partners.

Support

How to obtain help and support for this security update

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 (January 14, 2014): Bulletin published.

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