Update to Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS99-025)

[aleph1 () UNDERGROUND ORG (aleph1 () UNDERGROUND ORG)]

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Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS99-025)
--------------------------------------

Re-Release: Unauthorized Access to IIS Servers through ODBC Data Access with
RDS

Originally Released as MS98-004: July 17, 1998
Re-Released as MS99-025: July 19, 1999
Revised: July 23, 1999

Summary
=======
Microsoft has identified a vulnerability in Microsoft(r) Data Access
Components (MDAC) that could allow a web site visitor to take unauthorized
actions on a web site hosted using Internet Information Server. The
vulnerability can be eliminated by reconfiguring or removing the affected
components of MDAC.

This vulnerability originally was reported in Microsoft Security Bulletin
MS98-004, issued July 17, 1998. It was re-released on July 19, 1999, to
remind customers of the need to address the vulnerability. It was updated on
July 23, 1999, to discuss the need to remove sample files that are affected
by the vulnerability, and to clarify that MDAC 2.0 is affected even if
deployed as a clean installation.

Frequently asked questions regarding this vulnerability can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/MS99-025faq.asp. The FAQ
contains instructions for eliminating the vulnerability.

Issue
=====
The RDS DataFactory object, a component of Microsoft Data Access Components
(MDAC), exposes unsafe methods. When installed on a system running Internet
Information Server 3.0 or 4.0, the DataFactory object may permit an
otherwise unauthorized web user to perform privileged actions, including:
 - Allowing unauthorized users to execute shell commands on the
   IIS system as a privileged user.
 - On a multi-homed Internet-connected IIS system, using MDAC to
   tunnel SQL and other ODBC data requests through the public
   connection to a private back-end network.
 - Allowing unauthorized accessing to secured, non-published
   files on the IIS system.

Affected Software Versions
==========================
The vulnerability affects the Microsoft Data Access Components, when
installed on a web server running Internet Information Server 3.0 or 4.0.
Specifically:
 - MDAC 1.5 and 2.0 are affected
 - MDAC 2.1 is affected if installed as an upgrade from a
   previous version of MDAC, rather than a clean installation
 - Any version of MDAC is affected if Sample Pages for RDS are
   installed.

NOTE: Sample Pages for RDS are provided as part of the Windows 4.0 Option
Pack and the MDAC 2.0 Software Development Kit. They are not installed by
default in the Option Pack, but are installed by default in the MDAC 2.0
SDK.

NOTE: MDAC 1.5 and IIS are installed by default installations of the Windows
NT 4.0 Option Pack.

NOTE: IIS can be installed as part of other Microsoft products, such as
Microsoft BackOffice and Microsoft Site Server. MDAC can be installed as
part of other Microsoft products, such as Visual C and Microsoft Office.

Patch Availability
==================
This vulnerability requires a configuration change to eliminate it,
rather than a patch. Details of the specific changes needed are available at

http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/MS99-025faq.asp.

More Information
================
Please see the following references for more information related to this
issue.
 - Microsoft Security Bulletin MS99-025: Frequently Asked Questions,
   http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/MS99-025faq.asp
 - Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article Q184375,
   Security Implications of RDS 1.5, IIS, and ODBC,
   http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q184/3/75.asp
 - Microsoft Universal Data Access Download Page,
   http://www.microsoft.com/data/download.htm
 - Installing MDAC Q&A,
   http://www.microsoft.com/data/MDAC21info/MDACinstQ.htm
 - Microsoft Security Advisor web site,
   http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.asp
 - IIS Security Checklist,
   http://www.microsoft.com/security/products/iis/CheckList.asp

Obtaining Support on this Issue
===============================
Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) is a fully supported set of
technologies. If you require technical assistance with this issue,
please contact Microsoft Technical Support. For information on
contacting Microsoft Technical Support, please see
http://support.microsoft.com/support/contact/default.asp.

Acknowledgments
===============
Microsoft acknowledges Greg Gonzalez of ITE (http://www.ite.com) for
bringing additional information regarding this vulnerability to our
attention, and .Rain.Forest.Puppy for identifying the involvement of
Sample Pages for RDS. Microsoft also acknowledges Russ Cooper of NTBugTraq
(http://www.ntbugtraq.com) for his assistance around this issue.

Revisions
=========
 - July 19, 1999: Bulletin Created as re-release of MS98-004.
 - July 23, 1999: Bulletin updated to discuss involvement of Sample Pages
   for RDS, and to clarify status of MDAC 2.0.

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