Security Update for Microsoft Windows to Address Remote Code Execution (3116162)
Published: December 8, 2015
Version: 1.0
Executive Summary
This security update resolves vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows. The vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if an attacker accesses a local system and runs a specially crafted application.
This security update is rated Important all supported releases of Microsoft Windows. For more information, see the Affected Software section.
The security update addresses the vulnerabilities by correcting how Windows validates input before loading libraries. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Vulnerability Information section.
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.
[2]Windows 10 updates are cumulative. In addition to containing non-security updates, they also contain all of the security fixes for all of the Windows 10-affected vulnerabilities shipping with the monthly security release. The update is available via the Windows Update Catalog.
Note Windows Server Technical Preview 3 and Windows Server Technical Preview 4 are affected. Customers running these operating systems are encouraged to apply the update, which is available via Windows Update.
*The Updates Replaced column shows only the latest update in any chain of superseded updates. For a comprehensive list of updates replaced, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog, search for the update KB number, and then view update details (updates replaced information is provided on the Package Details tab).
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 December bulletin summary.
Vulnerability Severity Rating and Maximum Security Impact by Affected Software
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Not applicable
Important
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Not applicable
Important
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Not applicable
Important
Windows 7
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Not applicable
Important
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Not applicable
Important
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Not applicable
Important
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Not applicable
Important
Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
Windows 8 for 32-bit Systems
Not applicable
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Important
Windows 8 for x64-based Systems
Not applicable
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Important
Windows 8.1 for 32-bit Systems
Not applicable
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Important
Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems
Not applicable
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Important
Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2012
Not applicable
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Important
Windows Server 2012 R2
Not applicable
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Important
Windows RT and Windows RT 8.1
Windows RT
Not applicable
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Important
Windows RT 8.1
Not applicable
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Important
Windows 10
Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems (3116869)
Not applicable
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Important
Windows 10 for x64-based Systems (3116869)
Not applicable
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Important
Windows 10 Version 1511 for 32-bit Systems (3116900)
Not applicable
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Important
Windows 10 Version 1511 for x64-based Systems (3116900)
Not applicable
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Important
Server Core installation option
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
Not applicable
Important Remote Code Execution
Not applicable
Important
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
Not applicable
Important Remote Code Execution
Not applicable
Important
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)
Not applicable
Important Remote Code Execution
Not applicable
Important
Windows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)
Not applicable
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Important
Windows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)
Not applicable
Important Remote Code Execution
Important Remote Code Execution
Important
Vulnerability Information
Multiple Windows Library Loading Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities
Multiple remote code execution vulnerabilities exist when Windows improperly validates input before loading libraries. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerabilities 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.
To exploit the vulnerabilities, an attacker would need access to the local system and the ability to execute a specially crafted application on the system. The security update addresses the vulnerabilities by correcting how Windows validates input before loading libraries.
The following tables contain links to the standard entry for each vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:
Vulnerability title
CVE number
Publicly disclosed
Exploited
Windows Library Loading Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.
Workarounds
The following workarounds may be helpful in your situation:
Security Update Deployment
For Security Update Deployment information, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article referenced here 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.
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