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Update Protection against Microsoft Windows Shell LNK File Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (MS10-046)

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Check Point Reference: CPAI-2010-221
Date Published:
Severity:
Last Updated:
Source: Microsoft Security Advisory (2286198)
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-046 
Industry Reference(s): CVE-2010-2568
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 SP3
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition SP2
Windows Server 2003 SP2
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition SP2
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 (Itanium)
Windows Vista SP1
Windows Vista SP2
Windows Vista x64 Edition SP1
Windows Vista x64 Edition SP2
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems SP2
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems SP2
Windows Server 2008 (Itanium)
Windows Server 2008 (Itanium) SP2
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 (Itanium)
Vulnerability Description
A code execution vulnerability has been reported in Windows Shell. The Shell organizes objects necessary for running applications into a hierarchical namespace and provides users and applications with a consistent and efficient way to access and manage objects. An attacker might exploit this issue to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system.
Update/Patch Available
Apply patches:
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-046 
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is due to an error in the Windows Shell that fails to properly validate specific parameters when attempting to load the icon of a shortcut. A remote attacker may exploit this vulnerability via a malicious shortcut file, and an associated malicious binary. When an application parses the icon of the shortcut, the malicious binary will execute the attacker's code on the victim system.

Protection Overview
This protection detects and blocks the transferring of suspicious LNK files over CIFS. 

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

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 > Application Intelligence > Microsoft Networks.
2. In the right pane, double-click the Microsoft Windows Shell LNK File Parsing 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: Windows SMB Protection Violation
Attack Information: Microsoft Windows Shell LNK file parsing code execution

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

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

Microsoft Windows Shell LNK File Parsing Code Execution

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: Windows SMB Protection Violation
Attack Information: Microsoft Windows Shell LNK file parsing 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 Application Intelligence > Badfiles, and select the LNK Parser protection group
3. Click Microsoft Windows Shell LNK File Parsing Code Execution (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: LNK File Parser
Description: Microsoft Windows Shell LNK File Parsing Code Execution