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Security Advisory

Microsoft Security Advisory 2695962

Update Rollup for ActiveX Kill Bits

Published: May 08, 2012

Version: 1.0

General Information

Executive Summary

Microsoft is releasing a new set of ActiveX kill bits with this advisory.

This update sets the kill bits for the following third-party software:

Advisory Details

Issue References

For more information about this issue, see the following references:

References Identification
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2695962 

This advisory discusses the following software.

Related Software
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 7 for 32-bit Systems and Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems and Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1**
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1

**Server Core installation not affected. This advisory does not apply to supported editions of Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 as indicated, when installed using the Server Core installation option. For more information on this installation option, see the TechNet articles, Managing a Server Core Installation and Servicing a Server Core Installation. Note that the Server Core installation option does not apply to certain editions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2; see Compare Server Core Installation Options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this update replace the Cumulative Security Update of ActiveX Kill Bits (2618451)?
No, for the purpose of automatic updating, this update does not replace the Cumulative Security Update of ActiveX Kill Bits (2618451) that is described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS11-090. Automatic updating may still offer the MS11-090 update to customers regardless of whether or not they installed this update (2695962). However, customers who install this update (2695962) do not need to install the MS11-090 update to be protected with all the kill bits set in MS11-090.

What kill bits does this Update Rollup of ActiveX Kill Bits contain?
This Update Rollup of ActiveX Kill Bits contains new kill bits and all kill bits previously released in MS08-023, Security Update of ActiveX Kill Bits;MS08-032, Cumulative Security Update of ActiveX Kill Bits; MS09-032, Cumulative Security Update of ActiveX Kill Bits; MS09-055, Cumulative Security Update of ActiveX Kill Bits;MS10-008, Cumulative Security Update of ActiveX Kill Bits; MS10-034, Cumulative Security Update of ActiveX Kill Bits;MS11-027, Cumulative Security Update of ActiveX Kill Bits; MS11-090, Cumulative Security Update of ActiveX Kill Bits; and advisories titled Update Rollup for ActiveX Kill Bits, Microsoft Security Advisory 953839, Microsoft Security Advisory 956391, Microsoft Security Advisory 960715, Microsoft Security Advisory 969898, Microsoft Security Advisory 2562937, and Microsoft Security Advisory 2647518.

Why is Microsoft releasing this Update Rollup for ActiveX Kill Bits with a security advisory when previous kill bit updates were released with a security bulletin?
Microsoft is releasing this Update Rollup for ActiveX Kill Bits with an advisory because the new kill bits do not affect Microsoft software.

What is a kill bit?
A security feature in Microsoft Internet Explorer makes it possible to prevent an ActiveX control from ever being loaded by the Internet Explorer HTML-rendering engine. This is done by making a registry setting and is referred to as setting the kill bit. After the kill bit is set, the control can never be loaded, even when it is fully installed. Setting the kill bit makes sure that even if a vulnerable component is introduced or is re-introduced to a system, it remains inert and harmless.

For more information on kill bits, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 240797: How to stop an ActiveX control from running in Internet Explorer.

Why does this update not contain any binary files?
This update only makes changes to the registry to disable the controls from instantiating in Internet Explorer.

Should I install this update if I do not have the affected component installed or use the affected platform?
Yes. Installing this update will block the vulnerable control from running in Internet Explorer.

Does this update contain any kill bits that are not Microsoft-specific?
Yes. Microsoft has been requested by organizations to set the kill bit for controls that the organizations own and have found to be vulnerable. See the subsection, "Third-Party Kill Bits," in the Vulnerability Information section.

Does this update contain kill bits that were previously released in an Internet Explorer security update?
No, this update does not include kill bits that were previously released in an Internet Explorer security update. We recommend that you install the latest Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer.

Why does this advisory not have a security rating associated with it?
This update contains new kill bits for third-party controls. Microsoft does not provide a security rating for vulnerable third-party controls.

Suggested Actions

Review the Microsoft Knowledge Base Article that is associated with this advisory

Microsoft encourages customers to install this update. Customers who are interested in learning more about this update should review Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2695962.

Workarounds

  • Prevent COM objects from running in Internet Explorer

    You can disable attempts to instantiate COM object in Internet Explorer by setting the kill bit for the control in the registry.

    Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

    To set the kill bit for a CLSID with value of {B8E73359-3422-4384-8D27-4EA1B4C01232}, paste the following text in a text editor such as Notepad. Then, save the file by using the .reg file name extension.

    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility\{B8E73359-3422-4384-8D27-4EA1B4C01232}]"Compatibility Flags"=dword:00000400[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility\{B8E73359-3422-4384-8D27-4EA1B4C01232}]"Compatibility Flags"=dword:00000400

    You can apply this .reg file to individual systems by double-clicking it. You can also apply it across domains by using Group Policy. For more information about Group Policy, see the TechNet article Group Policy collection.

    Note You must restart Internet Explorer for your changes to take effect.

    Impact of Workaround. There is no impact as long as the object is not intended to be used in Internet Explorer.

    How to undo the workaround. Delete the registry keys previously added in implementing this workaround.

     

Third-Party Kill Bits

This update includes kill bits to prevent the following ActiveX controls from being run in Internet Explorer:

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

Feedback

Support

  • Customers in the United States and Canada can receive technical support from Security Support. For more information about available support options, see Microsoft Help and Support.
  • International customers can receive support from their local Microsoft subsidiaries. For more information about how to contact Microsoft for international support issues, visit International Support.
  • Microsoft TechNet Security provides additional information about security in Microsoft products.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this advisory 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 (May 8, 2012): Advisory published.

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