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AUSCERT External Security Bulletin Redistribution
ESB-2000.272 -- Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS00-069)
Patch Available for "Simplified Chinese IME State Recognition"
3 October 2000
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AusCERT Security Bulletin Summary
---------------------------------
Product: Simplified Chinese IME
Vendor: Microsoft
Operating System: Windows 2000
Impact: Administrator Compromise
Access Required: Local
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Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS00-069)
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Patch Available for "Simplified Chinese IME State Recognition"
Vulnerability
Originally posted: September 29, 2000
Summary
=======
Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a security
vulnerability in Microsoft(r) Windows(r) 2000. The vulnerability
could allow a malicious user to gain complete control over an
affected machine.
Frequently asked questions regarding this vulnerability and the patch
can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq00-069.asp
Issue
=====
Input Method Editors (IMEs) enable character-based languages such as
Chinese to be entered via a standard 101-key keyboard. When an IME is
installed as part of the system setup, it is available by default as
part of the logon screen. In such a case, the IME should recognize
that it is running in the context of the LocalSystem and not in the
context of a user, and restrict certain functions. However, the IME
for Simplified Chinese does not correctly recognize the machine
state, and exposes inappropriate functions as part of the logon
screen. As a result, a malicious user who had access to either a
physical keyboard or a terminal server session on an affected machine
could gain LocalSystem privilege even without logging onto the
machine.
This vulnerability only affects the Simplified Chinese version of
Windows 2000 by default - customers using any other version of
Windows 2000 are not affected. Even if the Simplified Chinese IMEs
were installed after setup as part of a language pack, it would not
be present as part of the logon screen and therefore would not pose a
security threat. The vulnerability allows only the local machine to
be compromised, but does not grant any domain privileges (unless, of
course, the local machine happens to be a domain controller). Because
the vulnerability is exposed as part of the logon screen, it could
only be exploited by a user who had physical access to a keyboard, or
who could start a terminal server session on an affected machine. If
best practices - which strongly recommend against giving normal users
physical access to critical servers, or allowing terminal server
session on such servers - have been followed, this vulnerability
would affect only workstations and terminal servers.
Affected Software Versions
==========================
- Microsoft Windows 2000
Note: Only the Simplified Chinese version of Windows 2000 is affected
by default. Customers running any other language version of Windows
2000 only need to take action if they installed a Simplified Chinese
IME during system setup.
Patch Availability
==================
- Microsoft Windows 2000, Simplified Chinese version:
http://www.microsoft.com/Downloads/Release.asp?ReleaseID=24631
- Microsoft Windows 2000, English version:
http://www.microsoft.com/Downloads/Release.asp?ReleaseID=24627
Note: This patch can be installed on systems running Windows 2000,
either with or without Service Pack 1. The patch will be incorporated
into Service Pack 2.
Note: Additional security patches are available at the Microsoft
Download Center
More Information
================
Please see the following references for more information related to
this issue.
- Frequently Asked Questions: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS00-069,
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq00-069.asp
- Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q270676 discusses this issue and
will be available soon.
- Microsoft TechNet Security web site,
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/default.asp
Obtaining Support on this Issue
===============================
This is a fully supported patch. Information on contacting Microsoft
Product Support Services is available at
http://support.microsoft.com/support/contact/default.asp.
Revisions
=========
- September 29, 2000: Bulletin Created.
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.
Last Updated September 29, 2000
(c) 2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of use.
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