__________________________________________________________ The U.S. Department of Energy Computer Incident Advisory Capability ___ __ __ _ ___ / | /_\ / \___ __|__ / \ \___ __________________________________________________________ INFORMATION BULLETIN Security Update for Outlook Express (911567) Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-016 April 11, 2006 20:00 GMT Number Q-173 [REVISED 27 Apr 2006] [REVISED 11 Jan 2007] ______________________________________________________________________________ PROBLEM: A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Outlook Express when using a Windows Address Book (.wab) file. PLATFORM: Affected Software: • Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 • Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 and Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 • Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition • Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), and Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me) – Review the FAQ section of this bulletin for details about these operating systems. Tested Microsoft Windows Components: Affected Components: • Outlook Express 6 on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 • Outlook Express 6 on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition • Outlook Express 6 Microsoft Windows Server 2003 on Itanium- based Systems and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems • Outlook Express 6 on Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 • Outlook Express 6 on Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition • Outlook Express 6 Service Pack 1 on Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 or when installed on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 • Outlook Express 5.5 Service Pack 2 on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 DAMAGE: Vulnerability could allow an attacker to take complete control of the affected system. SOLUTION: Upgrade to the appropriate version. ______________________________________________________________________________ VULNERABILITY The risk is MEDIUM - Vulnerability could allow an attacker to ASSESSMENT: take complete control of the affected system. ______________________________________________________________________________ LINKS: CIAC BULLETIN: http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/q-173.shtml ORIGINAL BULLETIN: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-016 http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS06- 016.mspx CVE: http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name= CVE-2006-0014 ______________________________________________________________________________ REVISION HISTORY: 04/27/2006 - revised to reflect changes Microsoft has made in MS06-016 where they discuss a privacy related changed and have updated the "Caveats" section. 01/11/2007 - revised to reflect changes Microsoft has made in MS06-016 where they modified the "File Information" for Windows Server 2003 in the "Security Update Information" section. [****** Start Advisory ******] Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-016 Cumulative Security Update for Outlook Express (911567) Published: April 11, 2006 | Updated: January 10, 2007 Version: 1.3 Summary Who should read this document: Customers who use Microsoft Outlook Express Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution Maximum Severity Rating: Important Recommendation: Customers should apply the update at the earliest opportunity Security Update Replacement: This bulletin replaces two prior security updates. See the frequently asked questions (FAQ) section of this bulletin for the complete list. Caveats: Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 911567 documents the currently known issues that customers may experience when they install this security update. The article also documents recommended solutions for these issues. For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 911567. Tested Software and Security Update Download Locations: Affected Software: • Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 • Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 and Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 • Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition • Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), and Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me) – Review the FAQ section of this bulletin for details about these operating systems. Tested Microsoft Windows Components: Affected Components: • Outlook Express 6 on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 - Download the update • Outlook Express 6 on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition - Download the update • Outlook Express 6 Microsoft Windows Server 2003 on Itanium-based Systems and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems - Download the update • Outlook Express 6 on Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 - Download the update • Outlook Express 6 on Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition - Download the update • Outlook Express 6 Service Pack 1 on Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 or when installed on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 - Download the update • Outlook Express 5.5 Service Pack 2 on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 - Download the Update Note The security updates for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 also apply to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2. The software in this list has been tested to determine whether the versions are affected. Other versions either no longer include security update support or may not be affected. To determine the support life cycle for your product and version, visit the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Web site. Top of section General Information Executive Summary Executive Summary: This update resolves a newly-discovered, privately-reported vulnerability. The vulnerability is documented in the "Vulnerability Details" section of this bulletin. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. If a user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights. We recommend that customers apply the update at the earliest opportunity. Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers: Vulnerability Identifiers Impact of Vulnerability Outlook Express 5.5 Service Pack 2 on Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 Outlook Express 6 Service Pack 1 on Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 or on Windows XP Service Pack 1 Outlook Express 6 for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (Including the 64-bit Edition) Outlook Express 6 for Windows Server 2003 or on Windows 2003 Service Pack 1 (Including 64-Bit Edition) Microsoft Outlook Express when using a Windows Address Book File Vulnerability - CVE-2006-0014 Remote Code Execution Important Important Important Important This assessment is based on the types of systems that are affected by the vulnerability, their typical deployment patterns, and the effect that exploiting the vulnerability would have on them. Note The severity ratings for non-x86 operating system versions map to the x86 operating systems versions as follows: • The Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Systems severity rating is the same as the Windows Server 2003 severity rating. • The Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition severity rating is the same as the Windows XP Service Pack 2 severity rating. • The Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems severity rating is the same as the Windows Server 2003 severity rating. • The Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems severity rating is the same as the Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 severity rating. • The Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition severity rating is the same as the Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 severity rating. Top of section Frequently asked questions (FAQ) related to this security update Vulnerability Details Microsoft Outlook Express when using a Windows Address Book File Vulnerability - CVE-2006-0014 A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Outlook Express when using a Windows Address Book (.wab) file that could allow an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability to take complete control of the affected system. If a user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less affected than users who operate with administrative user rights. Mitigating Factors for Microsoft Outlook Express when using a Windows Address Book File Vulnerability - CVE-2006-0014: • An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights. • In an e-mail attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending a specially-crafted .wab file to the user and by persuading the user to open the file. • In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker would have to host a Web site that contains a Web page that is used to attempt to exploit this vulnerability. An attacker would have no way to force users to visit a malicious Web site. Instead, an attacker would have to persuade them to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link that takes them to the attacker's site. In order for the exploit to take place, the user would have to open the .wab file. Top of section Workarounds for Microsoft Outlook Express when using a Windows Address Book File Vulnerability - CVE-2006-0014: Microsoft has tested the following workarounds. While these workarounds will not correct the underlying vulnerability, they help block known attack vectors. When a workaround reduces functionality, it is identified in the following section. • Back up and remove the .wab file association Removing the WAB registry key helps protect the affected system from attempts to exploit this vulnerability. To backup and remove the WAB registry key, follow these steps: Note Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or view the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note We recommend backing up the registry before you edit it. 1. Click Start, click Run, type “regedit" (without the quotation marks), and then click OK. 2. Expand HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, and then click .WAB. 3. Click File, and then click Export. 4. In the Export Registry File dialog box, type a file name in the File Name box, and then click Save. 5. Click Edit, and then click Delete to remove the registry key. 6. In the Confirm Key Delete dialog box, you receive an “Are you sure you want to delete this key and all of its subkeys” message. Click Yes. Impact of Workaround: Users will not be able to open address books by double clicking them. They will have to manually start the Windows Address Book application and pass the address book to be used as a command line parameter or they can import the address book from the File menu. This does not affect the use of address books in Outlook Express. Top of section FAQ for Microsoft Outlook Express when using Windows Address Book File Vulnerability - CVE-2006-0014: Top of section Security Update Information Affected Software: For information about the specific security update for your affected software, click the appropriate link: Top of section Outlook Express 6 for Windows 2003 (all versions) Top of section Outlook Express 6 on Windows XP Service Pack 2 and XP Professional x64 Edition Top of section Outlook Express 6 Service Pack 1 on Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 or when installed on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 Top of section Outlook Express 5.5 Service Pack 2 for Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 Top of section Acknowledgments Microsoft thanks the following for working with us to help protect customers: • Stuart Pearson, working with TippingPoint and the Zero Day Initiative, for reporting the Microsoft Outlook Express when using a Windows Address Book File Vulnerability - CVE-2006-0014 • ATmaCA for reporting similar behavior to the Microsoft Outlook Express when using a Windows Address Book File Vulnerability - CVE-2006-0014 Obtaining Other Security Updates: Updates for other security issues are available at the following locations: • Security updates are available in the Microsoft Download Center. You can find them most easily by doing a keyword search for "security_patch." • Updates for consumer platforms are available at the Microsoft Update Web site. Support: • Customers in the U.S. and Canada can receive technical support from Microsoft Product Support Services at 1-866-PCSAFETY. There is no charge for support calls that are associated with security updates. • International customers can receive support from their local Microsoft subsidiaries. There is no charge for support that is associated with security updates. For more information about how to contact Microsoft for support issues, visit the International Support Web site. Security Resources: • The Microsoft TechNet Security Web site provides additional information about security in Microsoft products. • Microsoft Software Update Services • Microsoft Windows Server Update Services • Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) • Windows Update • Microsoft Update • Windows Update Catalog: For more information about the Windows Update Catalog, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 323166. • Office Update? Software Update Services: By using Microsoft Software Update Services (SUS), administrators can quickly and reliably deploy the latest critical updates and security updates to Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003-based servers, and to desktop systems that are running Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional. For more information about how to deploy security updates by using Software Update Services, visit the Software Update Services Web site. Windows Server Update Services: By using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), administrators can quickly and reliably deploy the latest critical updates and security updates for Windows 2000 operating systems and later, Office XP and later, Exchange Server 2003, and SQL Server 2000 onto Windows 2000 and later operating systems. For more information about how to deploy security updates using Windows Server Update Services, visit the Windows Server Update Services Web site. Systems Management Server: Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) delivers a highly-configurable enterprise solution for managing updates. By using SMS, administrators can identify Windows-based systems that require security updates and can perform controlled deployment of these updates throughout the enterprise with minimal disruption to end users. For more information about how administrators can use SMS 2003 to deploy security updates, visit the SMS 2003 Security Patch Management Web site. SMS 2.0 users can also use Software Updates Service Feature Pack to help deploy security updates. For information about SMS, visit the SMS Web site. Note SMS uses the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer, the Microsoft Office Detection Tool, and the Enterprise Scan Tool to provide broad support for security bulletin update detection and deployment. Some software updates may not be detected by these tools. Administrators can use the inventory capabilities of the SMS in these cases to target updates to specific systems. For more information about this procedure, visit the following Web site. Some security updates require administrative rights following a restart of the system. Administrators can use the Elevated Rights Deployment Tool (available in the SMS 2003 Administration Feature Pack and in the SMS 2.0 Administration Feature Pack) to install these updates. Disclaimer: 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. Revisions:? • V1.0 (April 11, 2006): Bulletin published. • V1.1 (April 15, 2006): Bulletin updated to discuss a privacy related change included in this update for Outlook Express 6 on Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, and Outlook Express 6 for Windows XP Service Pack 2 to ignore the “X-Unsent” field in email headers. • V1.2 (April 26, 2006): Bulletin revised: “Caveats” section updated due to new issues discovered with the security update. Error message when you open the Windows Address Book or you open Outlook Express after you install cumulative security update. • V1.3 (January 10, 2007): Bulletin updated to modify the “File Information” for Windows Server 2003 in the “Security Update Information” section. [****** End Advisory ******] _______________________________________________________________________________ CIAC wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Microsoft Security for the information contained in this bulletin. _______________________________________________________________________________ CIAC, the Computer Incident Advisory Capability, is the computer security incident response team for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the emergency backup response team for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). CIAC is located at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California. CIAC is also a founding member of FIRST, the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams, a global organization established to foster cooperation and coordination among computer security teams worldwide. CIAC services are available to DOE, DOE contractors, and the NIH. 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Neither the United States Government nor the University of California nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or favoring by the United States Government or the University of California. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or the University of California, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. 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