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AUSCERT External Security Bulletin Redistribution
ESB-2002.602 -- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS02-063
Unchecked Buffer in PPTP Implementation Could Enable Denial of Service
Attacks (Q329834)
01 November 2002
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AusCERT Security Bulletin Summary
---------------------------------
Product: Remote Access Services (RAS)
Vendor: Microsoft
Operating System: Windows 2000
Windows XP
Impact: Denial of Service
Access Required: Remote
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Title: Unchecked Buffer in PPTP Implementation Could Enable
Denial of Service Attacks (Q329834)
Date: 30 October 2002
Software: Windows 2000, Windows XP
Impact: Denial of Service
Max Risk: Critical
Bulletin: MS02-063
Microsoft encourages customers to review the Security Bulletin at:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS02-063.asp.
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Issue:
======
Windows 2000 and Windows XP natively support Point-to-Point Tunneling
Protocol (PPTP), a Virtual Private Networking technology that is
implemented as part of Remote Access Services (RAS). PPTP support is
an optional component in Windows NT 4.0, Windows 98, Windows 98SE,
and Windows ME.
A security vulnerability results in the Windows 2000 and Windows XP
implementations because of an unchecked buffer in a section of code
that processes the control data used to establish, maintain and tear
down PPTP connections. By delivering specially malformed PPTP control
data to an affected server, an attacker could corrupt kernel memory
and cause the system to fail, disrupting any work in progress on the
system.
The vulnerability could be exploited against any server that offers
PPTP. If a workstation had been configured to operate as a RAS server
offering PPTP services, it could likewise be attacked. Workstations
acting as PPTP clients could only be attacked during active PPTP
sessions. Normal operation on any attacked system could be restored
by restarting the system.
Mitigating Factors:
====================
- As discussed in more detail in the FAQ, Microsoft has only
successfully demonstrated denial of service attacks via this
vulnerability. Because of how the overrun occurs, it does not
appear that that there is any reliable means of using it to gain
control over a system.
- Servers would only be at risk from the vulnerability if they
had been specifically configured to offer PPTP services. PPTP does
not run by default on any Windows system. Likewise, although it
is possible to configure a workstation to offer PPTP services,
none operate in this capacity by default.
- Exploiting the vulnerability against a PPTP client could be
difficult. PPTP is typically used in scenarios in which the client
IP address changes frequently (e.g., because the client system is
mobile). Not only would an attacker need to learn the IP address,
but he or she would also need to mount an attack while the client
had an active PPTP session underway.
Risk Rating:
============
- Internet systems: Critical
- Intranet systems: Low
- Client systems: Low
Patch Availability:
===================
- A patch is available to fix this vulnerability. Please read the
Security Bulletin at
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms02-063.asp
for information on obtaining this patch.
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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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