I. BACKGROUND

Indeo Video is a video codec developed by Intel and included in Microsoft Windows. For more information about Indeo codec, please the visit following website: http://ligos.com/index.php/home/products/indeo/

II. DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of a heap corruption vulnerability in Microsoft Corp.'s Indeo32 Codec could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the affected user.

This vulnerability especially exists in Indeo32 codec ir32_32.dll. The Indeo32 codec uses the "IV32" FourCC code inside an AVI file. When this FourCC code is specified in the "strf" chunk in a AVI file, it tells the movie player to decode the movie stream using Indeo32 codec. When malformed data is supplied in the Indeo stream, heap corruption can happen, which results in an exploitable condition.

III. ANALYSIS

Exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected host in the context of the affected user.

Exploitation of this vulnerability would require a user to open a malicious media file, usually an AVI file; however, since the vulnerability is in the streaming component of Microsoft Windows, attacks can be launched from a malicious website or any application that delivers Web content. In Windows Explorer, if the Web View Content is enabled, which is the default setting, a single click will open the malicious file in the preview pane and trigger the vulnerability. An attacker can host a malicious AVI file and use social engineering techniques to trick a user into visiting the site or to deliver the hostile code to a user via e-mail, for example.

IV. DETECTION

iDefense has confirmed that ir32_32.dll version 3.24.15.3, as included in fully patched Windows XP as of October 2008, is vulnerable. All previous versions are suspected to be vulnerable.

V. WORKAROUND

Restrict access to ir32_32.dll by executing Echo y|cacls "%SystemRoot%\system32\ir32_32.dll" /E /P everyone:N Impact of workaround: Video encoded with Indeo codec can't be viewed.

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

Microsoft has released a patch which addresses this issue. This patch mitigates the vulnerability by blocking the Indeo codec from being launched in Internet Explorer or Windows Media player, and by removing the ability to load this codec from Internet zone by any other applications. For more information, consult its advisory at the following URL:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/ security/advisory/954157.mspx

VII. CVE INFORMATION

A Mitre Corp. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) number has not been assigned yet.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

11/11/2008 Initial Vendor Notification
11/11/2008 Initial Vendor Reply
12/08/2009 Coordinated Public Disclosure

IX. CREDIT

The discoverer of this vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous.

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X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright © 2009 iDefense, Inc.

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Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.