Microsoft Security Bulletin MS15-007 - Important
Vulnerability in Network Policy Server RADIUS Implementation Could Cause Denial of Service (3014029)
Published: January 13, 2015
Version: 1.0
Executive Summary
This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. The vulnerability could allow denial of service on an Internet Authentication Service (IAS) or Network Policy Server (NPS) if an attacker sends specially crafted username strings to the IAS or NPS. Note that the denial of service vulnerability would not allow an attacker to execute code or to elevate user rights; however, it could prevent RADIUS authentication on the IAS or NPS.
This security update is rated Important for all supported editions of Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 (excluding Itanium), Windows Server 2008 R2 (excluding Itanium), Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2. For more information, see the Affected Software section.
The security update addresses the vulnerability by changing how Network Policy Servers parse username queries when implementing RADIUS. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Vulnerability Information section.
For more information about this update, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 3014029.
Affected Software
The following software versions or editions are affected. Versions or editions that are not listed 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.
| Operating System | Maximum Security Impact | Aggregate Severity Rating | Updates Replaced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Server 2003 | |||
| Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (3014029) | Denial of Service | Important | None |
| Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 (3014029) | Denial of Service | Important | None |
| Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems (3014029) | Denial of Service | Important | None |
| Windows Server 2008 | |||
| Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (3014029) | Denial of Service | Important | None |
| Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (3014029) | Denial of Service | Important | None |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 | |||
| Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (3014029) | Denial of Service | Important | None |
| Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 | |||
| Windows Server 2012 (3014029) | Denial of Service | Important | None |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 (3014029) | Denial of Service | Important | None |
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.
| Vulnerability Severity Rating and Maximum Security Impact by Affected Software | ||
|---|---|---|
| Affected Software | Network Policy Server RADIUS Implementation Denial of Service Vulnerability - CVE-2015-0015 | Aggregate Severity Rating |
| Windows Server 2003 | ||
| Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (3014029) | Important\ Denial of Service | Important |
| Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 (3014029) | Important\ Denial of Service | Important |
| Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems (3014029) | Important\ Denial of Service | Important |
| Windows Server 2008 | ||
| Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (3014029) | Important\ Denial of Service | Important |
| Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (3014029) | Important\ Denial of Service | Important |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 | ||
| Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (3014029) | Important\ Denial of Service | Important |
| Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 | ||
| Windows Server 2012 (3014029) | Important\ Denial of Service | Important |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 (3014029) | Important\ Denial of Service | Important |
Vulnerability Information
Network Policy Server RADIUS Implementation Denial of Service Vulnerability - CVE-2015-0015
This is a denial of service vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could send specially crafted username strings to an Internet Authentication Service (IAS) or Network Policy Server (NPS), causing a denial of service condition for RADIUS authentication on the IAS or NPS. Note that the denial of service vulnerability would not allow an attacker to execute code or to elevate user rights; however, it could prevent RADIUS authentication on the IAS or NPS. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could cause the target system to stop responding. Network Policy Servers that allow remote, untrusted users to authenticate are at particular risk from this vulnerability. The update addresses the denial of service vulnerability by changing how Network Policy Servers parse username queries when implementing RADIUS.
Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure. When this security bulletin was issued, Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers.
Mitigating Factors
Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.
Workarounds
Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.
Security Update Deployment
For Security Update Deployment information, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article referenced in the Executive Summary.
Acknowledgments
Microsoft recognizes the efforts of those in the security community who help us protect customers through coordinated vulnerability disclosure. See Acknowledgments for more information.
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 13, 2015): Bulletin published.
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