MS releases security bulletin for Nov (Nov 11th 2008)

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-068 – Important (Vulnerability in SMB Could Allow Remote Code Execution (957097))

Executive Summary

This security update resolves a publicly disclosed vulnerability in Microsoft Server Message Block (SMB) Protocol. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution on affected systems. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

This security update is rated Important for all supported editions of Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003, and Moderate for all supported editions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that SMB authentication replies are validated to prevent the replay of credentials. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection for the specific vulnerability entry under the next section, Vulnerability Information.

Recommendation. Microsoft recommends that customers apply the update at the earliest opportunity.

Known Issues. None

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-069 – Critical (Vulnerabilities in Microsoft XML Core Services Could Allow Remote Code Execution (955218))

Executive Summary

This security update resolves several vulnerabilities in Microsoft XML Core Services. The most severe vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user viewed a specially crafted Web page using Internet Explorer. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

This security update is rated Critical for Microsoft XML Core Services 3.0 and Important for Microsoft XML Core Services 4.0, Microsoft XML Core Services 5.0, and Microsoft XML Core Services 6.0. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The security update addresses the vulnerabilities by modifying the way that Microsoft XML Core Services parses XML content, handles external document type definitions (DTD), and sets HTTP request fields. For more information about the vulnerabilities, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection for the specific vulnerability entry under the next section, Vulnerability Information.

Recommendation. Microsoft recommends that customers apply the update immediately.

Known Issues. Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 955218 documents the currently known issues that customers may experience when installing this security update. The article also documents recommended solutions for these issues.

More information is available at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/current.aspx.

- EF