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Workaround for Microsoft GDI WMF Heap Overflow Vulnerability (MS08-071)

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Check Point Reference: SBP-2008-16
Date Published:
Severity:
Source: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-071
Industry Reference(s): CVE-2008-3465
Protection Provided by: VPN-1
  • NGX R65
  • NGX R62
  • NGX R61
  • NGX R60
VSX
  • NGX R65
InterSpect
  • NGX
Who is Vulnerable?
Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4
Windows XP SP2
Windows XP SP3
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition SP2
Windows Server 2003 SP1
Windows Server 2003 SP2
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition SP2
Windows Server 2003 with SP1 (Itanium)
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 (Itanium)
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 for (Itanium)
Vulnerability Description
A remote code execution vulnerability has been discovered in the way GDI handles file size parameters in WMF files. The Microsoft Windows graphics device interface (GDI) enables applications to use graphics and formatted text on the video display and on the printer. A remote attacker may trigger this issue via a specially crafted WMF image file. Windows Metafile (WMF) is a 16-bit metafile image format optimized for the Windows operating system that can contain both vector information and bitmap information. Successful exploitation would allow execution of arbitrary code on a vulnerable system.
Update/Patch Available
Apply patches:
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-071
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is due to a heap overflow when GDI fails to properly process malformed file size parameters in specially crafted WMF image files. A remote attacker may trigger this issue by convincing a user to open a specially crafted WMF image file. By persuading a user to open the malformed WMF file, an attacker could take complete control of an affected system.

Protection Overview
By enabling this protection, SmartDefense will detect and block the transferring of WMF files over HTTP. No update is required to address this vulnerability.

Since the protection offered in this advisory may degrade performance and block access to legitimate files, users are advised to use this protection as a workaround till all systems are patched.

Users are protected against this vulnerability if the WMF/EMF protection for blocking vulnerable files in the Protection section of CPAI-2006-020 has been applied.

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 Application Intelligence > Content Protection.
2. Select the following:

Block WMF EMF Files

3. In the configuration pane, under Settings > Mode, check Active.
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: Content Protection Violation
Attack Information: WMF file detected

VPN-1 NGX R61 & R60

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the SmartDefense tree, click Application Intelligence > Content Protection.
2. Select the following:

Block WMF EMF Files

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: Content Protection Violation
Attack Information: WMF file detected

VPN-1 VSX NGX R65

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the SmartDefense tab, click Application Intelligence > Content Protection.
2. Select the following:

Block WMF EMF Files

3. In the configuration pane, under Settings > Mode, check Active.
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: Content Protection Violation
Attack Information: WMF file detected

InterSpect NGX

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the left pane, select Profiles > Default Protection and select the SmartDefense page of the profile.
2. In the SmartDefense tree, click Application Intelligence > Content Protection.
3. Select the following protection:

Block WMF EMF Files

4. Install security policy on all modules.

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

Attack Name: Content Protection Violation
Attack Information: WMF file detected