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Microsoft listens, changes UAC behavior in Windows 7

Chaks   on 06 February 2009 - 02:12 · 67 comments & 20167 views

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Long Zheng and Rafael had come up with proof earlier that malware can turn off UAC in Windows 7. Later Microsoft responded insisting that this is by design and actually not a bug. Microsoft has finally agreed to do changes to the Windows 7 UAC and deliver the changes to the Windows 7 Release Candidate.

Jon DeVann and Steven Sinofsky have blogged about the two changes Microsoft is planning to bring to Windows 7 RC:
  • UAC control panel will run in a high integrity process
  • Changing the level of the UAC will also prompt for confirmation

There you go! Simple changes, but brings out big differences to the way UAC behaves in Windows 7!

UAC control panel will run in a high integrity process

UAC control panel running in a high integrity process means it requires elevation. So, you might get prompted to change the UAC settings in your system, even if you are an protected admin (the default user account created during the installation process)



Expect the UAC icon appear just before the setting Change User Account Control Settings in the above screenshot in Windows 7 RC

Changing the level of the UAC will also prompt for confirmation

As there is going to be a prompt for confirmation to change the UAC level, expect a prompt when you click Ok to change your UAC settings



These two changes are more than enough to make Windows 7 UAC to respond to the threat Zheng and Rafael had come up. The user now, when running a malware has to bypass the UAC prompt in order to execute it.

Jon and Steven still insisted on - Malware making it onto a PC and being run Vs What it can do once it is running - and treat very seriously the ability to get code on a machine and run without consent.

They were also very serious that users should still not download code and run it unless the source is trusted. HTML, EXE, VBS, BAT, CMD and more are all code and all have the potential to alter the environment (user settings, user files) running as a standard user or an administrator.

So, here we have - many were furious about this UAC flaw, Microsoft listened, reiterated back that 'this is by design' and now have responded really well!

Thanks Microsoft!

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#1 Sam Symons Live on 06 Feb 2009 - 02:15
Good to see this. I'm thankful
(1 reply) #2 Athernar on 06 Feb 2009 - 02:18
It would be nice as a bonus, if they would change the "Never notify" setting-level to be UAC in Silent mode, rather than turning it off altogether.
#2.1 mrp04 on 07 Feb 2009 - 04:17
Athernar said,
It would be nice as a bonus, if they would change the "Never notify" setting-level to be UAC in Silent mode, rather than turning it off altogether.


UAC Silent mode is the same thing as turning it off. If a program automatically gets elevated when it asks, what is the point?
#3 +Ely on 06 Feb 2009 - 02:21
I'm glad they are addressing this issue, it will keep many people happy and keep the good image Win7 already has.
(2 replies) #4 -Hiroshi- on 06 Feb 2009 - 02:25
Glad to see Microsoft listening to a lot of the feedback from the general community, first the editions, then the UAC behavior, very nice Microsoft.
#4.1 +Chrono951 on 06 Feb 2009 - 03:49
Exactly. This is what makes a great OS. Compromises!
#4.2 Krome on 06 Feb 2009 - 04:15
Chrono951 said,
Exactly. This is what makes a great OS. Compromises!

LOL when you say "Compromises!", you are sending a mixed signal here.
(2 replies) #5 dcoaster on 06 Feb 2009 - 02:29
Impressive and greatly appreciated. I have sensed a new face of Microsoft in the Windows Engineering department, yet sadly, the same old marketing department execs still sit and argue to see how many editions they can spit out and how much they can charge for them.

The editions are a little much, but let's see how the prices shake out. Please Microsoft, hit a home run for everyone's sake...
#5.1 RogerT on 06 Feb 2009 - 07:30
dcoaster said,
Please Microsoft, hit a home run for everyone's sake...

I think you're being a little over-dramatic. It's not like Mac and Linux users would care that much if Microsoft fails with Windows 7. On the other hand, if it does fail (doubtful), maybe you're suggesting it would be bad for everyone since Windows is so prevalent. Which goes to show much much reliance the world has on a sole company I suppose.

But I think you're just being over-dramatic.
#5.2 dcoaster on 06 Feb 2009 - 11:47
The "everyone" should have been aimed at those that want to buy a PC with or upgrade to Windows 7. Nobody likes to see an exorbitant price on something that could be much cheaper.
#6 yakumo on 06 Feb 2009 - 02:55
Excellent, exactly what I was hoping for, they've made the right decision at last.
#7 rm20010 on 06 Feb 2009 - 03:06
I can hope this will generate even more positive press for Windows 7. They're finally listening.
#8 Kevin. on 06 Feb 2009 - 03:21
The change to the UAC is lovely news. Well done Microsoft! Just hearing that your listening to people makes me even more excited for Windows 7.
#9 iwsti07 on 06 Feb 2009 - 03:26
Microsoft is doing an excellent job with Windows 7!
(7 replies) #10 asianrox on 06 Feb 2009 - 03:29
is this actually solving the problem? Could a malware or script simulate the keyboard or mouse events to defeat it again?
#10.1 BigBoy on 06 Feb 2009 - 03:38
asianrox said,
is this actually solving the problem? Could a malware or script simulate the keyboard or mouse events to defeat it again?


No.

Go to the linked blog and read. Essentially:

"UAC control panel will run in a high integrity process, which requires elevation. That was already in the works before this discussion and doing this prevents all the mechanics around SendKeys and the like from working"
#10.2 asianrox on 06 Feb 2009 - 04:04
What about using an attack similar to recent flash player security flaw where a user is tricked to click through? That is, an attacker could pop up a window cover the UAC prompt and trick user to click? I think Microsoft needs to be very careful and not too over confident on their quick fix.
#10.3 TRC on 06 Feb 2009 - 04:32
I don't think anything can cover the UAC prompt if I'm not mistaken.
#10.4 Kojio on 06 Feb 2009 - 05:51
UAC prompts appear on the screen at random locations. There is no way to predict where they will appear, making it impossible to cover them with an overlay.
#10.5 JonathanMarston on 06 Feb 2009 - 07:04
And the default setting in 7 is still to use the "secure desktop", which keeps any program from interfering with the display of the dialog
#10.6 dimitris on 06 Feb 2009 - 11:08
asianrox said,
is this actually solving the problem? Could a malware or script simulate the keyboard or mouse events to defeat it again?


The UAC always gets on top of everything, that's why the entire screen becomes dark grey transparent.
#10.7 mrp04 on 07 Feb 2009 - 04:19
asianrox said,
What about using an attack similar to recent flash player security flaw where a user is tricked to click through? That is, an attacker could pop up a window cover the UAC prompt and trick user to click? I think Microsoft needs to be very careful and not too over confident on their quick fix.


Secure desktop solves this problem AND programs sending keystrokes. What UAC does is set up a another desktop using a snapshot of your desktop as the background to make it seem like it is just a pop up window but is really on it's own desktop. Applications can't send keystrokes to this other desktop.
(1 reply) #11 Nazgulled on 06 Feb 2009 - 03:29
Are those 2 checks really needed, wouldn't just one of them be enough?
#11.1 cybertimber2008 on 06 Feb 2009 - 14:22
Both flaws hit 1 of the 2 weak points. With just one fix, the other is even more vulnerable because it can go around the first.
(2 replies) #12 +primortal on 06 Feb 2009 - 03:35
Glad there doing it, but their only doing this cause its getting too much press that Windows 7 is less secure than vista.
#12.1 mram on 06 Feb 2009 - 07:46
primortal said,
Glad there doing it, but their only doing this cause its getting too much press that Windows 7 is less secure than vista.


No, they're doing it because it was the right thing to do. Press will still (and always) report the news, and sometimes the perception of a minor issue will appear overblown since every news organization seems to feed off of bad press.
#12.2 C_Guy on 06 Feb 2009 - 15:30
Wow, that would be hysterical if you weren't trying to be serious!

Microsoft is making changes based on user feedback from the Beta to make it the best Windows they can. The changes would have been made whether the media made a big stink or not.
(3 replies) #13 +Chrono951 on 06 Feb 2009 - 03:50
In related news, does everyone like the new Windows shield colors of yellow and blue? I'm still rather partial to the multicolored one from Vista.
#13.1 JonathanMarston on 06 Feb 2009 - 07:02
I liked the Vista version better, too

Maybe if we all make a big fuss about how the colors of the icon make 7 less secure than Vista they'll change it!
#13.2 rm20010 on 06 Feb 2009 - 07:08
Think it's

yellow/blue = UAC
red/green/yellow/blue = general Windows security-related settings
#13.3 mrp04 on 07 Feb 2009 - 04:21
Chrono951 said,
In related news, does everyone like the new Windows shield colors of yellow and blue? I'm still rather partial to the multicolored one from Vista.

Vista's one is definitely better. It is the Windows logo colors, while this new one is just weird.
#14 P1R4T3 on 06 Feb 2009 - 04:15
Thats a very nice move from MS.
#15 Xenomorph on 06 Feb 2009 - 04:59
This is great news. It seemed like a simple solution (prompt on UAC changes).
#16 QuietStorm21A on 06 Feb 2009 - 05:28
Glad to see MS is serious about listening to the consumer and Windows 7 is a great!
#17 Caveman-ugh on 06 Feb 2009 - 05:35
Great news !!!
Now we can all get back to saying how much we are looking forward to using Windows 7 !
This problem was the ONLY thing wrong with win 7 now that it has been dealt with by microsoft people (and me) can breathe more easily.
And I think that is the main reason why micorsoft did it, so no one, but no one could say anything bad about windows 7.
Good on ya microsoft !
(3 replies) #18 blade1269 on 06 Feb 2009 - 05:38
hey,

now if they can only fix the copy and paste speed....but way to go MS.
#18.1 +xiphi on 06 Feb 2009 - 06:04
What's wrong with it?
#18.2 morphen on 06 Feb 2009 - 14:53
huh?
#18.3 morphen on 06 Feb 2009 - 14:53
huh?
#19 Tikitiki on 06 Feb 2009 - 06:11
Kudos Microsoft
#20 RogerT on 06 Feb 2009 - 06:25
With the UAC now flexible enough for everyone's tastes, that's one less thing for the annoying Linux zealots to complain about in Windows 7. Makes me happy.
#21 Erikas on 06 Feb 2009 - 07:09
Microsoft has really addressed the problem, should make everyone happy.
#22 Gabotril on 06 Feb 2009 - 07:17
That's good news!
#23 rakeshishere on 06 Feb 2009 - 07:31
They knew about this issue way back in Pre- Beta (6801 build) and they had promised to fix this in Beta build
http://channel9.msdn.com/forums/Coffeehous...ommentID=437606

But, they didnt bother and the bad news it generated on web finally made them to fix this in RC. I think we should not hurry with Windows 7. Fix bugs like these and get a better product during RTM.... or else it will be a irony to again wait for SP1 of Windows 7
#24 guruparan on 06 Feb 2009 - 07:37
Great news!...and also, i showed my Windows 7 installed to my colleagues...they were very impressed & seeing the memory usage compared to Vista, they were delighted..

Hope it rocks everywhere as XP does....(though vista is good..but win 7 is gr

Last edited by guruparan on 06 Feb 2009 - 07:45
(3 replies) #25 rm20010 on 06 Feb 2009 - 07:45
Oookkkkayyyyy...

http://community.winsupersite.com/blogs/pa...f-the-plan.aspx

So this was a setup all along, according to Thurrott? >.<
#25.1 JonathanMarston on 06 Feb 2009 - 08:11
I don't know what Paul's problem is. There was already evidence that MS was already making changes (for instance, Rafael's blog states that "birdies" told him that the UAC exploit using rundll32.exe was already fixed in internal builds), so the statement that Paul points out still stands.

Also, the E7 blog itself states that "The second change is due directly to the feedback we're seeing" while Paul claims that MS refuses to admit that they changed their minds due to feedback.

Whatever...

Last edited by JonathanMarston on 06 Feb 2009 - 08:19
#25.2 rm20010 on 06 Feb 2009 - 17:16
Gotta keep yourself relevant even though others do a better job than yourself, eh? The time that he's the first to break this and that about Windows news has long passed.
#25.3 qwertz123 on 06 Feb 2009 - 23:38
rm20010 said,
Oookkkkayyyyy...

http://community.winsupersite.com/blogs/pa...f-the-plan.aspx

So this was a setup all along, according to Thurrott? >.<


right, paul thurrot is so 2k1,,,just so...
(1 reply) #26 lflashl on 06 Feb 2009 - 09:49
I changed my to "Always notify", i like the fact of windows7 telling me everything.
#26.1 bbfc_uk on 06 Feb 2009 - 15:50
Thats what I did when the first 'issue' was discovered, and thats what I'll do when I buy Windows 7. Better to be safe than sorry and Vista's UAC didn't bother me.
(1 reply) #27 stezo2k on 06 Feb 2009 - 10:41
does that mean windows 7s UAC is going to be just as annoying as vista by default? i hope not
#27.1 Bioran23 on 06 Feb 2009 - 11:44
No, it just means if you're going to change the level of your UAC settings, the UAC will prompt you and ask you whether you want to change it or not. That way, malware can't change your level of security and harm your comp.
(1 reply) #28 liemfukliang on 06 Feb 2009 - 12:29
How about changing UAC level via registry?
#28.1 yakumo on 06 Feb 2009 - 14:53
liemfukliang said,
How about changing UAC level via registry?


Without UAC disabled in the first place anyway you won't be making registry changes without triggering it.
(3 replies) #29 jamesVault on 06 Feb 2009 - 13:27
This is not a final solution because more flaws will come out due decreased security level set in Win7 UAC.
Vista remains safer than Win7
#29.1 bbfc_uk on 06 Feb 2009 - 13:28
I don't think so.

Windows 7 will be more secure than Vista, period!
#29.2 C_Guy on 06 Feb 2009 - 15:31
Of course it is, Vista's not still in BETA.

Way to state the obvious.
#29.3 qwertz123 on 06 Feb 2009 - 18:12
bbfc_uk said,
I don't think so.

Windows 7 will be more secure than Vista, period!


wut? the level in win7 ist just the same as in xp! who the hell say's that malware HAS to change the uac level permanently to harm your comp or execute what ever it needs...setting it to HIGH would do the justice period!

but hey,,maybe iam going back to win2k after 2 years of using vista,,,just to be safe from this joke security of xp and which win7 is!

actually it's more a question about the quantitity of users, not the quality of the product! sadly...

Last edited by qwertz123 on 06 Feb 2009 - 18:21
#30 bbfc_uk on 06 Feb 2009 - 13:30
Well done Microsoft. Windows 7 is shaping up to be the best release of Windows yet.
#31 +Chipshop on 06 Feb 2009 - 13:47
Nice one Ms good to see your listening, 7 is giving me a warm tingley feeling, is that bad? :p
#32 MarcoDigi on 06 Feb 2009 - 14:25
A mandatory prompt upon changing UAC is good for me. Good show! I love the increased transparency "7" has had from past versions.
(1 reply) #33 blade1269 on 06 Feb 2009 - 18:28
hey,

Opps, I really want them to fix the transfer speed between drives and though the network,
#33.1 qwertz123 on 06 Feb 2009 - 18:41
blade1269 said,
hey,

Opps, I really want them to fix the transfer speed between drives and though the network,


it's called KB938979
#34 em_te on 07 Feb 2009 - 05:12
Wow a security hole fixed in 48 hours! Not bad! Not bad at all! Much better than Firefox's record of a fixing a security hole in 36 hours.
#35 Jugalator on 09 Feb 2009 - 10:01
Thanks!

And to the naysayers, NO, this will not make Windows 7 "like Vista" again. :p
#36 F7S on 12 Feb 2009 - 18:39
About time!!!

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