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AUSCERT External Security Bulletin Redistribution
ESB-2003.0187 -- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-008
Flaw in Windows Script Engine Could Allow Code Execution (814078)
20 March 2003
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AusCERT Security Bulletin Summary
---------------------------------
Product: Windows Script Engine
Vendor: Microsoft
Operating System: Windows 98
Windows 98SE
Windows Me
Windows NT
Windows NT Terminal Server
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Impact: Execute Arbitrary Code/Commands
Access Required: Remote
CVE Names: CAN-2003-0010
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Title: Flaw in Windows Script Engine Could Allow Code
Execution (814078)
Date: 19 March 2003
Software: Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
Microsoft Windows Me
Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server Edition
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows XP
Impact: Run Code of Attacker's Choice
Max Risk: Critical
Bulletin: MS03-008
Microsoft encourages customers to review the Security Bulletins at:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-008.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-008.asp
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Issue:
======
The Windows Script Engine provides Windows operating systems with
the ability to execute script code. Script code can be used to add
functionality to web pages, or to automate tasks within the
operating system or within a program. Script code can be written in
several different scripting languages, such as Visual Basic Script,
or JScript.
A flaw exists in the way by which the Windows Script Engine for
JScript processes information. An attacker could exploit the
vulnerability by constructing a web page that, when visited by the
user, would execute code of the attacker's choice with the user's
privileges. The web page could be hosted on a web site, or sent
directly to the user in email.
Although Microsoft has supplied a patch for this vulnerability and
recommends all affected customers install the patch immediately,
additional preventive measures have been provided that customers
can use to help block the exploitation of this vulnerability while
they are assessing the impact and compatibility of the patch. These
temporary workarounds are discussed in the "Workarounds" section in
the Frequently Asked Questions section of the security bulletin for
this release.
Mitigating Factors:
====================
- For an attack to be successful, the user would need to visit a
website under the attacker's control or receive an HTML e-mail
from the attacker.
- Computers configured to disable active scripting in Internet
Explorer are not susceptible to this issue.
- Exploiting the vulnerability would allow the attacker only the
same privileges as the user. Users whose accounts are configured
to have few privileges on the system would be at less risk than
ones who operate with administrative privileges.
- Automatic exploitation of the vulnerability by an HTML email
would be blocked by Outlook Express 6.0 and Outlook 2002 in
their default configurations, and by Outlook 98 and 2000 if used
in conjunction with the Outlook Email Security Update.
Risk Rating:
============
- Critical
Patch Availability:
===================
- A patch is available to fix this vulnerability. Please read the
Security Bulletins at
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms03-008.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-008.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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