Flaw in Microsoft VM JDBC Classes Could Allow Code


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Title: Flaw in Microsoft VM JDBC Classes Could Allow Code

Execution (Q329077)

Released: 18 September 2002

Software: Versions of the Microsoft virtual machine (Microsoft VM)

Impact: Three vulnerabilities, the most serious of which could

enable an attacker to gain complete control over a user's

system.

Max Risk: Critical

Bulletin: MS02-052

Microsoft encourages customers to review the Security Bulletin at:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/...in/MS02-052.asp.

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Issue:

======

The Microsoft VM is a virtual machine for the Win32® operating

environment. The Microsoft VM shipped as part of most versions of

Windows (a complete list is available in the FAQ), as well as part of

most versions of Internet Explorer. It also was available for some

timeas a separate download. A new patch for the Microsoft VM is

available,which eliminates three security vulnerabilities. The

attack vectors forall of them would likely be the same. An attacker

would likely create a web page that, when opened, exploits the

desired vulnerability, and either host it on a web page or send

it to a user as an HTML mail.

The first vulnerability involves the Java Database Connectivity

(JDBC) classes, which provide features that allow Java

applications to connect to and use data from a wide variety

of data sources, ranging from flat files to SQL Server databases.

The vulnerability results because of a

flaw in the way the classes vet a request to load and execute a

DLL on the user's system. Although the classes do perform checks

that are designed to ensure that only authorized applets can levy

such a request,it's possible to spoof this check by malforming

the request in a particular way, thereby enable an attacker to

load and execute any DLL on the user's system.

The second vulnerability also involves the JDBC classes, and results

because certain functions in the classes don't correctly validate

handles that are provided as input. One straightforward use of this

flaw would involve supplying invalid data in lieu of an actual handle

when calling such a function, Microsoft has confirmed that this

scenario would cause Internet Explorer to fail. In addition, there

is at least a theoretical possibility that the flaw also could enable

an attacker to provide data that would have the effect of running

code in the security context of the user.

The third vulnerability involves a class that provides support for

the use of XML by Java applications. This class exposes a number of

methods; some of these are suitable for use by any applet, while

othersare only suitable for use by trusted ones. However, the class

does not differentiate correctly between these cases, and instead

makes all of the methods available to all applets. Among the

functions that could be misused through this vulnerability are

ones that would enable an applet to take virtually any desired

action on the user's system.

Mitigating Factors:

====================

- - In order to exploit any of these vulnerabilities via the web-

based attack vector, the attacker would need to entice a user

into visiting a web site that the attacker controlled. The

vulnerabilities themselves provide no way to force a user to a

web site.

- - Java applets are disabled within the Restricted Sites Zone. As

a result, any mail client that opened HTML mail within the

Restricted Sites Zone, such as Outlook 2002, Outlook Express 6,

or Outlook 98 or 2000 when used in conjunction with the

Outlook Email Security Update, would not be at risk from the

mail-based attack vector.

- - The vulnerability would gain only the privileges of the user,

so customers who operate with less than administrative

privileges would be at less risk from the vulnerability.

- - Corporate IT administrators could limit the risk posed to

their users by using application filters at the firewall to

inspect and block mobile code.

Maximum Risk Rating:

====================

- Internet systems: Moderate

- Intranet systems: Moderate

- Client systems: Critical

Patch Availability:

===================

- A patch is available to fix this vulnerability. Please read the

Security Bulletin at

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/...in/ms02-052.asp

for information on obtaining this patch.

Sorce: Microsoft

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Originally posted by mapsonx

What are your thoughts on the fact that, for many users, M$ is not offering this patch for d/l & save to disk?? :ermm:

~ J ~

my thoughts, are...

Get Ready for a complete move to .NET and wave Java Goodbye.

:)

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Originally posted by mapsonx

What are your thoughts on the fact that, for many users, M$ is not offering this patch for d/l & save to disk?? :ermm:

~ J ~

use the windows update corp site

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I'm a Win98se, IE 5.5sp2 home user

use the windows update corp site
That's my dilemma. Been there, tried that. I tried every conventional source that I know of.

If you go here, this is what you get:

The Windows Update Corporate Web site has been retired.

http://corporate.windowsupdate.microsoft.c.../en/default.asp

The next site is:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloa...s/corporate.asp

But the MS02-052 update is not offered.

The only M$ option for someone like me is WU installation, but no d/l.

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