Microsoft Windows Comctl32 CVE-2019-1043 Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Description

Microsoft Windows is prone to a remote code-execution vulnerability. Attackers can exploit this issue to execute arbitrary code in the context of the currently logged-in user. Failed attacks will cause denial of service conditions.

Technologies Affected

• Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607 for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1709 for ARM64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1803 for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1803 for ARM64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1803 for x64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 for ARM64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1903 for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1903 for ARM64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1903 for x64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 for x64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 version 1703 for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 version 1703 for x64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 version 1709 for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Windows 10 version 1709 for x64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems SP1
• Microsoft Windows 7 for x64-based Systems SP1
• Microsoft Windows 8.1 for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows RT 8.1
• Microsoft Windows Server 1803
• Microsoft Windows Server 1903
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems SP1
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems SP1
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems SP2
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems SP2
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems SP2
• Microsoft Windows Server 2012
• Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2
• Microsoft Windows Server 2016
• Microsoft Windows Server 2019

Recommendations

Block external access at the network boundary, unless external parties require service.
If global access isn’t needed, filter access to the affected computer at the network boundary. Restricting access to only trusted computers and networks might greatly reduce the likelihood of successful exploits.

Run all software as a nonprivileged user with minimal access rights.
To reduce the impact of latent vulnerabilities, always run nonadministrative software as an unprivileged user with minimal access rights.

Deploy network intrusion detection systems to monitor network traffic for malicious activity.
Deploy NIDS to monitor network traffic for signs of anomalous or suspicious activity. This includes but is not limited to requests that include NOP sleds and unexplained incoming and outgoing traffic. This may indicate exploit attempts or activity that results from a successful exploit.

Do not accept or execute files from untrusted or unknown sources.
To reduce the likelihood of successful exploits, never handle files that originate from unfamiliar or untrusted sources.

Implement multiple redundant layers of security.
Since this issue may be leveraged to execute code, we recommend memory-protection schemes, such as nonexecutable stack/heap configurations and randomly mapped memory segments. This tactic may complicate exploits of memory-corruption vulnerabilities.

Updates are available. Please see the references or vendor advisory for more information.