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Workaround for Microsoft Windows Kernel Input Validation Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (MS09-006)

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Check Point Reference: SBP-2009-06
Date Published:
Severity:
Source: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS09-006
Industry Reference(s): CVE-2009-0081
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 (Itanium)
Vulnerability Description
A remote code execution vulnerability has been discovered in the Windows kernel. The Windows kernel is the core of the operating system. It provides system level services, allocates processor time to processes, and manages error handling. This vulnerability is caused by the improper validation of input passed from user mode through the kernel component of the graphics device interface (GDI). Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may allow execution of arbitrary code on an affected system.
Update/Patch Available
Apply patches:
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS09-006
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is due to an error in the Windows kernel that fails to properly validate input passed from user mode through the kernel component of GDI. A remote attacker may trigger this issue by convincing a user to open a specially crafted EMF image file. EMF is an image format that can contain both vector information and bitmap information. By persuading a user to open a specially crafted EMF image 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 EMF 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: EMF 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: EMF 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: EMF 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 > Block WMF/EMF Files and check the Block WMF/EMF Files check box on the opposite screen.
3. 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: Contect Protection Violation
Attack Information: EMF file detected