ISC Diary

Specifically, MS12-020 includes KB2671387 (Remote Code Execution - CVE-2012-0002) and KB2667402 (Denial of Service - CVE-2012-0152) or KB2621440. 

The reference for the update you'll see on a Windows system, when installed, depends on the version of the OS you're running. For Windows 7 you'll likely note KB2667402, whereas you should only expect KB2621440 on a Windows XP host.

Confusing, I know, but it matters. Read the full MS12-020 bulletin to confirm.

 

The simplest step to determine if you're properly updated, using Window 7 x64 as an example is: 

Start -> All Programs -> Windows Update -> View Update History and look for reference to KB2667402 as seen in Figure 1.

 

Figure 1 

 

If on a Windows XP host, using Microsoft Update, you can opt for Start -> Microsoft Update -> Review your update history and ensure KB2621440 is installed.

 

Additionally, at the command prompt, you can use Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) and issue:

wmic qfe | find "KB2667402" or wmic qfe | find "KB2621440"

If patched you'll note results as seen in Figure 2.

 

 

Per the bulletins, "systems that do not have RDP enabled are not at risk."

Your privileges on a given system (enterprise GPOs may prevent changes) may dictate your level of success.

Options include, aside from the obvious (PATCH):

1) Don't run RDP if you don't really need it.

Start -> Run -> services.msc -> Stop and/or disable Remote Desktop Services (Figure 3) or disable it via Control Panel

 

2) Use Windows Firewall (where applicable and if enabled) to prevent access to RDP (Figure 4)at the host level

 

3) Ensure your network security configurations don't unnecessarily allow RDP (TCP 3389) from the Internet. If you absolutely, positively must do so, restrict it to approved hosts.

 

4) Enable Network Level Authentication (NLA) on Vista and later systems. Per the SRD blog: "On systems with NLA enabled, the vulnerable code is still present and could potentially be exploited for code execution. However, NLA would require an attacker to first authenticate to the server before attempting to exploit the vulnerability."

  

Snort users can keep an eye on the likes of Emerging Threats. A rule (SID 2014384) has been included to identify a possible RDP DoS attack as described in KB2667402/CVE-2012-0152. I'm certain additional rules and detection logic are being added across the spectrum of detection options; check in with your vendor/provider accordingly.

 

Feel free to comment with methodology related to the above that works for you and thus may help others.