Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol CVE-2015-0079 Denial of Service Vulnerability

Description

Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol is prone to a remote denial-of-service vulnerability. An attacker can exploit this issue to cause the target service to stop responding, denying service to legitimate users.

Technologies Affected

• 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 Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems SP1
• Microsoft Windows Server 2012
• Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2

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.

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