Coastal Network Status

South Carolina Information Sharing and Analysis Center

SC INFORMATION SHARING AND ANALYSIS CENTER BULLETIN

DATE ISSUED: 1/8/2013

SUBJECT: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft XML Core Services Could Allow Remote Code Execution

OVERVIEW:

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in the Microsoft Core XML Services (MSXML), which could allow an attacker to take complete control of an affected system. Microsoft Core XML Services is software that allows users to develop XML based applications. These vulnerabilities can be exploited if a user visits or is redirected to a malicious web page using Microsoft Internet Explorer. Successful exploitation could result in an attacker gaining the same privileges as the logged on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

DESCRIPTION:

Two vulnerabilities exist in the way that Microsoft Windows parses XML content. Theses vulnerabilities may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the logged-on user. This security update resolves two privately reported vulnerabilities in Microsoft XML Core Services. The vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted webpage using Internet Explorer. For successful exploitation to occur, a user will need to visit the website or click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes the user to the attacker's website.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

· Windows XP

· Windows Server 2003

· Windows Vista

· Windows Server 2008

· Windows 7

· Windows 8

· Windows RT

· Windows Server 2012

· Microsoft Office 2003

· Microsoft Office 2007

RISK:

Government:

Large and medium government entities: High
Small government entities: High

Businesses:

Large and medium business entities: High
Small business entities: High

Home users: High

RECOMMENDATIONS:

We recommend the following actions be taken:

· Apply appropriate patches provided by Microsoft to vulnerable systems immediately after testing.

· Restrict access to msxml3.dll (per Microsoft Reference below)

· Restrict access to msxml6.dll (per Microsoft Reference below)

· Prevent the MSXML 5.0 ActiveX control from being run in Internet Explorer (per Microsoft Reference below)

· Configure Internet Explorer to prompt before running Active Scripting or disable Active Scripting to temporarily mitigate this vulnerability.

· Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative privileges) to diminish the effects of a successful attack.

· Remind users not to visit un-trusted websites or follow links provided by unknown or un-trusted sources.

REFERENCES:

Microsoft:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/bulletin/ms13-002

CVE:

http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2013-0006

http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2013-0007

Please feel free to contact the SC ISAC if you have any questions or need any additional information.

The SC ISAC will provide amplifying information as it becomes available.

SC-ISAC Contact Information

Email: SC-ISAC@cio.sc.gov

SC ISAC Security Line: 803-896-1650

24-hour hotline: +1 803-896-0001

Fax: +1 803-896-0375

Postal address:

SC-ISAC

DSIT Budget and Control Board

4430 Broad River Road

Columbia S.C. 29210

SC-ISAC is available via hotline 08:00-17:00 EST (GMT-5)/ EDT (GMT-4)

Monday through Friday

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public PGP key is available from:

https://sc-isac.sc.gov/public.key

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