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Update Protection against Microsoft Windows Saved Search Vulnerability (MS08-038)

Check Point Reference: CPAI-2008-093
Date Published:
Severity:
Last Updated:
Source: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-038
Industry Reference(s): CVE-2008-1435
Protection Provided by: VPN-1
  • NGX R65
  • NGX R62
  • NGX R61
  • NGX R60
VSX
  • NGX R65
InterSpect
  • NGX
Connectra
  • NGX R62
  • NGX R61
IPS-1
  • IPS-1
  • IPS-1 NGX R65
Who is Vulnerable?
Windows Vista
Windows Vista SP1
Windows Vista x64 Edition
Windows Vista x64 Edition SP1
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 (Itanium)
Vulnerability Description
A remote code execution vulnerability was reported in the way Windows Explorer saves specially crafted search files. Windows Search is a standard component of Windows Vista that allows instant search capabilities for most common file and data types. Windows Search has XML-based files that save information about a search in Windows. A remote attacker may exploit this vulnerability to take complete control of an affected system via a specially crafted search file.
Update/Patch Available
Apply patches:
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-038
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is due to an error in the Windows Explorer that fails to properly parse search files when saving them. A remote attacker can exploit this issue by persuading the victim to open and save a specially crafted saved-search file. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may allow the attacker to take complete control over the affected system.

Protection Overview
The update enables the HTTP Worm Catcher to detect and block the vulnerability based on pre-defined worm signatures.

In order for the protection to be activated, update your VPN-1 product to the latest SmartDefense update. For information on how to update SmartDefense, go to SBP-2006-05, Protection tab and select the version of your choice.

To configure the defense, select your product from the list below and follow the related protection steps.

VPN-1 NGX R65 & R62

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the SmartDefense tab, click Web Intelligence > Malicious Code > General HTTP Worm Catcher.
2. In the General HTTP Worm Catcher configuration pane, under Settings > Mode, check Active.
3. Enable the following protection:

Microsoft Windows Saved Search Vulnerability

4. Install policy on all modules.

How Do I Know if My Network is Under Attack?
SmartView Tracker will log the following entries:

Attack Name: HTTP Worm Catcher
Attack Information: Microsoft Windows Saved Search Vulnerability

VPN-1 NGX R61 & R60

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the Web Intelligence tree , click Malicious Code > General HTTP Worm Catcher.
2. Enable the following protection:

Microsoft Windows Saved Search Vulnerability

3. Install policy on all modules.

How Do I Know if My Network is Under Attack?
SmartView Tracker will log the following entries:

Attack Name: HTTP Worm Catcher
Attack Information: Microsoft Windows Saved Search Vulnerability

VPN-1 VSX NGX R65

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the SmartDefense tab, click Web Intelligence > Malicious Code > General HTTP Worm Catcher.
2. In the General HTTP Worm Catcher configuration pane, under Settings > Mode, check Active.
3. Enable the following protection:

Microsoft Windows Saved Search Vulnerability

4. Install policy on all modules.

How Do I Know if My Network is Under Attack?
SmartView Tracker will log the following entries:

Attack Name: HTTP Worm Catcher
Attack Information: Microsoft Windows Saved Search Vulnerability

InterSpect NGX

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the Web Intelligence tree, click Malicious Code > General HTTP Worm Catcher.
2. Enable the following protection:

Microsoft Windows Saved Search Vulnerability

3. Install policy on all modules.

How Do I Know if My Network is Under Attack?
SmartView Tracker will log the following entries:

Attack Name: HTTP Worm Catcher
Attack Information: Microsoft Windows Saved Search Vulnerability

Connectra NGX R62 & R61

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the navigation tree, click Web Intelligence. In the Malicious Code Protection pane click General HTTP Worm Catcher.
2. Enable the following protection:

Microsoft Windows Saved Search Vulnerability

3. Install policy on all modules.

How Do I Know if My Network is Under Attack?
Upon attack, the following entries will be logged:

Attack Name: HTTP Worm Catcher
Attack Information: Microsoft Windows Saved Search Vulnerability

IPS-1 & IPS-1 NGX R65

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the IPS-1 Policy Manager, click on the Protection tab.
2. In the Protection tree, click Application Intelligence > Badfiles, and select the ExtensionMagic filter protection group.
3. Click Administratively Prohibited Filetype Detected (IPS-1 NGX R65 only).
4. In the configuration pane, under Settings, check Active.
5. Add "search-ms" to Which filetypes to block.
6. Click on Install Policy.

How Do I Know if My Network is Under Attack?
Upon attack, the following entry will be logged:

Alert Name: badfiles_extensionmagic
Description: extensionmagic_magic_alert