Microsoft Windows fails to properly validate buffer size of incoming SMB packets

Overview

Microsoft’s implementation of Server Message Block (SMB) contains a buffer overflow vulnerability that could permit a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service.

Description

SMB and the Common Internet File System (CIFS) are closely related protocols used sharing data and resources between computers. According to Microsoft, “CIFS is an enhanced version of Microsoft’s open, cross-platform Server Message Block (SMB) protocol.” Windows uses this protocol to share files, printers, serial ports, and to communicate between computers using named pipes and mail slots.

Microsoft’s implementation of SMB does not properly validate the size of incoming SMB packets. An remote attacker with valid credentials on the server could use this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service on a vulnerable system. For more information ,see Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-024.

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Impact

An authenticated remote attacker may be able to exploit this vulnerability to run arbitrary code on the system or cause a denial of service with the privileges of the vulnerable service.

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Solution

Apply a patch from Microsoft as described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-024.

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If a patch can’t be applied, or as a workaround until a patch can be applied, you can block ports TCP/139 and TCP/445 and UDP/139 and UDP/445 at your network perimeter. This will still leave you exposed to attacks inside your network. Additionally, you may wish to block these ports using a host-based firewall, such as Microsoft’s Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) or a similar product available from a number of vendors.

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Vendor Information

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Microsoft Corporation __ Affected

Notified: July 09, 2003 Updated: October 06, 2003

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

See <http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-024.asp&gt;

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23337764 Feedback>).

CVSS Metrics

Group	Score	Vector
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References

• <http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-024.asp&gt;
• <http://www.secunia.com/advisories/9225/&gt;
• <http://securitytracker.com/alerts/2003/Jul/1007154.html&gt;
• <ttp://www.iss.net/security_center/static/12544.php>
• <http://www.microsoft.com/mind/1196/cifs.asp&gt;
• <http://samba.anu.edu.au/cifs/docs/what-is-smb.html&gt;

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Microsoft Corporation for reporting this vulnerability. Microsoft has credited Jeremy Allison and Andrew Tridgell of the Samba Team for discovering these vulnerabilities.

This document was written by Stacey Stewart.

Other Information

CVE IDs:	CVE-2003-0345
Severity Metric:	25.31 Date Public: