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Workaround for Windows Media Player Sampling Rate Vulnerability (MS08-054)

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Check Point Reference: SBP-2008-10
Date Published:
Severity:
Last Updated:
Source: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-054
Industry Reference(s): CVE-2008-2253
Protection Provided by: VPN-1
  • NGX R65
  • NGX R62
  • NGX R61
  • NGX R60
VSX
  • NGX R65
InterSpect
  • NGX
Who is Vulnerable?
Windows XP SP2
Windows XP SP3
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition SP2
Windows Vista
Windows Vista SP1
Windows Vista x64 Edition
Windows Vista x64 Edition SP1
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems
Vulnerability Description
A remote code execution vulnerability was reported in Windows Media Player 11 which is an application for Windows that supports numerous video, audio, and image formats. A remote attacker could exploit this issue via a specially crafted server-side playlist (.wsx) file. A server-side playlist (SSPL) is a list that identifies what content is played for a client, the time at which it is played, and the order in which it is played. WSX is a document used as SSPL by Windows Media server. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may allow execution of arbitrary code on a target system.
Update/Patch Available
Apply patches:
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-054
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is due to a buffer overflow condition in Windows Media Player 11 that fails to properly handle audio-only files streamed from a Windows Media Server with different sampling rates in a server-side playlist (SSPL). A remote attacker could trigger this flaw by convincing a victim to open a specially crafted WSX file. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow the attacker to take complete control of the affected system.

Protection Overview
By enabling this protection, SmartDefense will detect and block the transferring of WSX files over HTTP.

Since the protection offered in this advisory may degrade performance and block access to legitimate files, users are advised to use this protection as a workaround till all systems are patched.

In order for the protection to be activated, update your VPN-1 product to the latest SmartDefense update. For information on how to update SmartDefense, go to SBP-2006-05, Protection tab and select the version of your choice.

To configure the defense, select your product from the list below and follow the related protection steps.

VPN-1 NGX R65 & R62

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the SmartDefense tab, click Application Intelligence > Content Protection > Block WSX Files.
2. In the configuration pane, under Settings > Mode, check Active.
3. Install policy on all modules.

How Do I Know if My Network is Under Attack?
SmartView Tracker will log the following entries:

Attack Name: Content Protection Violation
Attack Information: WSX file detected

VPN-1 NGX R61 & R60

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the SmartDefense tree, click Application Intelligence > Content Protection.
2. Select the following protection:

Block WSX Files

3. Install policy on all modules.

How Do I Know if My Network is Under Attack?
SmartView Tracker will log the following entries:

Attack Name: Content Protection Violation
Attack Information: WSX file detected

VPN-1 VSX NGX R65

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the SmartDefense tab, click Application Intelligence > Content Protection > Block WSX Files.
2. In the configuration pane, under Settings > Mode, check Active.
3. Install policy on all modules.

How Do I Know if My Network is Under Attack?
SmartView Tracker will log the following entries:

Attack Name: Content Protection Violation
Attack Information: WSX file detected

InterSpect NGX

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the left pane, select Profiles > Default Protection and select the SmartDefense page of the profile.
2. In the SmartDefense tree, click Application Intelligence > Content Protection.
3. Select the following protection:

Block WSX Files

4. Install security policy on all modules.

How Do I Know if My Network is Under Attack?
SmartView Tracker will log the following entries:

Attack Name: Content Protection Violation
Attack Information: WSX file detected