Vulnerability in TCP/IP Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2989935)
Published: November 11, 2014
Version: 1.0
Executive Summary
This security update resolves a publically reported vulnerability in TCP/IP that occurs during input/output control (IOCTL) processing.****This vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker logs on to a system and runs a specially crafted application. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the context of another process. If this process runs with administrator privileges, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.
This security update is rated Important for all supported editions of Windows Server 2003. For more information, see the Affected Software section.
The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows TCP/IP stack handles objects in memory during IOCTL processing. For more information about the vulnerabilities, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection for the specific vulnerability.
The following software has been tested to determine which versions or editions are affected. Other versions or editions either are 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.
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 November bulletin summary.
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems
Important \ Elevation of Privilege
Important
TCP/IP Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability - CVE-2014-4076
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the Windows TCP/IP stack (tcpip.sys, tcpip6.sys) that is caused when the Windows TCP/IP stack fails to properly handle objects in memory during IOCTL processing. This vulnerability has been publicly disclosed. When this security bulletin was issued,****Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers. The update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that the Windows TCP/IP stack handles objects in memory during IOCTL processing.
Mitigating Factors
Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.
Workarounds
Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.
FAQ
What is the component affected by this vulnerability?
The component affected by this vulnerability is the TCP/IP stack (tcpip.sys and tcpip6.sys).
What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the context of another process. If this process runs with administrator privileges, 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?
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted application that could exploit the vulnerability and take complete control over the affected system.
What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Networked Windows servers are affected by 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.
As an Information Security Administrator, you plan and implement information security of sensitive data by using Microsoft Purview and related services. You’re responsible for mitigating risks by protecting data inside collaboration environments that are managed by Microsoft 365 from internal and external threats and protecting data used by AI services. You also implement information protection, data loss prevention, retention, insider risk management, and manage information security alerts and activities.