Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol CVE-2012-0173 Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Description

Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol is prone to a remote code-execution vulnerability. Successful exploits will allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code with full user-level privileges. This may facilitate a complete system compromise. Failed attacks may cause denial-of-service conditions.

Technologies Affected

• Microsoft Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems SP1
• Microsoft Windows 7 for x64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows 7 for x64-based Systems SP1
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Itanium
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Itanium SP1
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Itanium SP2
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP1
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 SP1
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 SP2
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Itanium
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Itanium SP1
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 x64
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 SP1
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems SP2
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems SP2
• Microsoft Windows Vista
• Microsoft Windows Vista SP1
• Microsoft Windows Vista SP2
• Microsoft Windows Vista x64 Edition
• Microsoft Windows Vista x64 Edition SP1
• Microsoft Windows Vista x64 Edition SP2
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition SP2
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition SP3
• Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3

Recommendations

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

Run all software as a nonprivileged user with minimal access rights.
To mitigate the potential impact of a successful exploit, run the affected application as a user with minimal access rights.

Deploy network intrusion detection systems to monitor network traffic for malicious activity.
Deploy NIDS to monitor network traffic for anomalous or suspicious activity. Monitor logs generated by NIDS and by the server itself for evidence of attacks against the server.

Implement multiple redundant layers of security.
Memory-protection schemes (such as nonexecutable stack and heap configurations and randomly mapped memory segments) will complicate exploits of memory-corruption vulnerabilities.

Vendor updates are available. Please see the references for details.