ZONEALARM SECURITY ADVISORY
Severity: High

Microsoft Server Service Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Date Published : 08 August 2006

Date Last Revised : 08 August 2006

Overview : A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the Server Service.

The Server service provides RPC support, file print support and named pipe sharing over the network. The Server service allows the sharing of your local resources (such as disks and printers) so that other users on the network can access them. It also allows named pipe communication between applications running on other computers and your computer, which is used for RPC.

This vulnerability has been classified as "High Risk." Computer users should take appropriate action to patch vulnerable systems.

Description : An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system.

Vulnerability is caused by an unchecked buffer in the Server service.

Impact : An attacker could try to exploit the vulnerability by creating a specially crafted message and sending the message to an affected system. The message could then cause the affected system to execute code.

An attack that is successfully exploited would enable an attacker to install malicious code (worm, virus, Trojan horse), read confidential data, or take control over the target system.

Platforms Affected : Please review the Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06040 for a complete list of affected platforms: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS06040.mspx

ZoneAlarm Products That Provide Protection : To ensure the most comprehensive protection, computer users should employ ZoneAlarm Security Suite, or ZoneAlarm Pro. Zone Labs products are not vulnerable to this attack. All Zone Labs security products, including ZoneAlarm, protect the user's system from unauthorized access and intrusions, and alert the user when malicious code attempts to access the network.

Recommended Actions : ZoneAlarm Family

ZoneAlarm Pro and ZoneAlarm Security Suite protect your system against this vulnerability through "Internet Zone Security" and "Trusted Zone Security". It is recommended that you ensure the following:

  • Internet Zone Security is set to High.
  • Trusted Zone Security is set to Medium.
  • Only trusted hosts are in the 'Trusted' Zone.
  • Use Classic Firewall rules to restrict TCP ports 139 and 445. By default these ports are blocked by ZoneAlarm.
  • If you are actively using IRC, mitigate risk of becoming an IRC BOT. In order to do this, use Classic Firewall rules to restrict TCP ports 6667, 6668, 6669, 6670, and 7000. By default these ports are blocked by ZoneAlarm. Also, utilize SmartDefense Advisor by not allowing connections to suspicious IRC servers, when you are prompted with a popup.

Check Point Integrity

Check Point Integrity protects your system against this vulnerability through the following available services:

Classic Firewall Rules

It is recommended that you ensure:

  • Only trusted hosts are in the 'Trusted' Zone.

SmartDefense Program Advisor

SmartDefense Program Advisor automatically blocks malware. It is recommended that you ensure the following:

  • Internet Zone Security is set to High.
  • Trusted Zone Security is set to Medium.
  • Use Classic Firewall rules to restrict TCP ports 139 and 445. By default these ports are blocked by Check Point Integrity.
  • If you are actively using IRC, mitigate risk of becoming an IRC BOT. In order to do this, use Classic Firewall rules to restrict TCP ports 6667, 6668, 6669, 6670, and 7000. By default these ports are blocked by Check Point Integrity. Also, utilize SmartDefense Advisor by not allowing connections to suspicious IRC servers, when you are prompted with a popup.

For more information about activating SmartDefense Program Advisor, please refer to CPSA200510 .

Advanced Cooperative Enforcement

  • Use Advanced Cooperative Enforcement to enforce policy upon remote endpoints.

Related Resources :

Install Microsoft patches to remove this vulnerability from the Windows Operating System and other software components: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Review Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06040: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS06040.mspx

Review eEye's article - MS06-040 Attack Vector Being Used as Part of BotNet Attack:http://www.eeye.com/html/resources/newsletters/alert/pub/AL20060814.html?sb=kckrkrampwnnwabmbbvm

Disclaimer : The information in this advisory is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.

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Any reproduction of this advisory other than as an unmodified copy of this file requires authorization from Zone Labs. Permission to electronically redistribute this advisory in its unmodified form is granted. All other rights, including the use of other media, are reserved by Zone Labs.