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Update Protection against Microsoft Internet Explorer Help and Support Center Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (MS10-042)

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Check Point Reference: CPAI-2010-208
Date Published:
Severity:
Last Updated:
Source: Microsoft Security Advisory (2219475)
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-042
Industry Reference(s): CVE-2010-1885
Protection Provided by: Security Gateway
  • R71
  • R70
VPN-1
  • NGX R65
VSX
  • NGX R65
IPS-1
  • IPS-1
  • IPS-1 NGX R65
Who is Vulnerable?
Windows XP SP2
Windows XP SP3
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition SP2
Windows Server 2003 SP2
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition SP2
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 (Itanium)
Vulnerability Description
A remote code execution vulnerability has been discovered in the Windows Help and Support Center. The Help and Support Center (HSC) is a feature in Windows that provides help on a variety of topics. HSC enables users to learn about Windows features, download and install software updates, get assistance from Microsoft and so forth. A remote attacker could exploit this issue by convincing a user to open a maliciously crafted HTML file with Internet Explorer, which may allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
Update/Patch Available
Apply patches:
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-042 
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is due to an error in the Windows Help and Support Center that fails to properly validate URLs when using the HCP Protocol. To trigger this issue, an attacker may create a malicious web page and persuade a user to view it. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability will allow an attacker to take complete control of the affected system.

Protection Overview
This protection will detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability.

In order for the protection to be activated, update your Security Gateway/VPN-1 product to the latest IPS/SmartDefense update. For information on how to update IPS/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.

Security Gateway: R70/R71

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the IPS tab, click Protections > By Protocol > Web Intelligence > HTTP Client Protections > Microsoft Internet Explorer Vulnerabilities.
2. In the right pane, double-click the Internet Explorer Help and Support Center Remote Code Execution protection.
3. In the Protection Details window, click on Edit. Choose the protection's Action (Override IPS Policy with: Prevent/Detect), and apply Additional Settings. 
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: Web Client Enforcement Violation
Attack Information: Internet Explorer help and support Center remote code execution

VPN-1 NGX R65 & VPN-1 VSX NGX R65

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the SmartDefense tab, click Web Intelligence > HTTP Client Protections > Microsoft Internet Explorer Vulnerabilities > Internet Explorer Help and Support Center Remote Code Execution.
2. In the configuration pane, under Settings > Mode, check Active.
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: Web Client Enforcement Violation
Attack Information: Internet Explorer help and support Center remote code execution

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 Web Intelligence > HTML, and select the Internet Explorer protection group.
3. Click Internet Explorer Malicious Help Center Protocol Handling URL (IPS-1 NGX R65 only).
4. In the configuration pane, under Settings, check Active.
5. Click on Install Policy.

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

Alert Name: Internet Explorer Vulnerabilities
Description: Internet Explorer Malicious Help Center Protocol Handling URL