Microsoft Windows Text Services CVE-2015-0081 Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Description

Microsoft Windows is prone to a remote code-execution vulnerability. Attackers can leverage 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

• Avaya CallPilot 4.0
• Avaya CallPilot 4.0.1
• Avaya CallPilot 5.0
• Avaya CallPilot 5.0.1
• Avaya CallPilot 5.1.0
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Client Registration Server 5.0
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Client Registration Server 5.0.1
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Client Registration Server 5.2
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Client Registration Server 5.2.1
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Client Registration Server 6.0
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Client Registration Server 6.2
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Recording Server 5.0
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Recording Server 5.0.1
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Recording Server 5.2
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Recording Server 5.2.1
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Recording Server 6.0
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Recording Server 6.2
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Streaming Server 5.0
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Streaming Server 5.0.1
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Streaming Server 5.2
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Streaming Server 5.2.1
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Streaming Server 6.0
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Streaming Server 6.2
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Web Conferencing Server 5.0
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Web Conferencing Server 5.0.1
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Web Conferencing Server 5.2
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Web Conferencing Server 5.2.1
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Web Conferencing Server 6.0
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Web Conferencing Server 6.2
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Webportal 5.0
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Webportal 5.0.1
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Webportal 5.2
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Webportal 5.2.1
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Webportal 6.0
• Avaya Meeting Exchange - Webportal 6.2
• Avaya Messaging Application Server 5.0
• Avaya Messaging Application Server 5.0.1
• Avaya Messaging Application Server 5.2
• Microsoft Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems SP1
• Microsoft Windows 7 for x64-based Systems SP1
• Microsoft Windows 8 for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Windows 8 for x64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows 8.1 for 32-bit Systems
• Microsoft Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows RT 8.1
• Microsoft Windows RT
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Itanium SP2
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 SP2
• 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 Vista SP2
• Microsoft Windows Vista x64 Edition SP2

Recommendations

Run all software as a nonprivileged user with minimal access rights.
To lessen the potential damage that successful exploits may achieve, run all software as a nonadministrative user with the least amount of privileges required to successfully operate.

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.

Do not follow links provided by unknown or untrusted sources.
Do not following links, visit websites, or open files that are provided by untrusted sources.

Implement multiple redundant layers of security.
Various memory-protection schemes (such as nonexecutable and randomly mapped memory segments) may hinder an attacker’s ability to exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code.

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