Risk
High
Date Discovered
April 12, 2011
Description
Microsoft Windows is prone to a remote code-execution vulnerability that affects the OpenType Font (OTF) driver.
To exploit this issue on Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2, an attacker must entice an unsuspecting user into visiting a malicious webpage or to open a specially crafted document. To exploit this issue on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, an attacker requires local access.
An attacker can exploit this issue to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode. Successful exploits will completely compromise an affected computer. Failed attempts will result in a denial-of-service condition.
Recommendations
Permit local access for trusted individuals only. Where possible, use restricted environments and restricted shells.
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker requires local access to an affected computer. Grant local access for trusted and accountable users only.Deploy network intrusion detection systems to monitor network traffic for malicious activity.
Deploy NIDS to monitor network traffic for signs of suspicious or anomalous activity. This may help detect malicious actions that an attacker may take after successfully exploiting vulnerabilities in applications. Review all applicable logs regularly.Do not accept or execute files from untrusted or unknown sources.
Users should never accept files from untrusted or unknown sources, because they may be malicious in nature. Avoid opening email attachments from unknown or questionable sources.Do not accept communications that originate from unknown or untrusted sources.
Do not follow links or open email from unknown or untrusted sources.Implement multiple redundant layers of security.
Since this issue may be leveraged to execute code, we recommend memory-protection schemes, such as nonexecutable stack/heap configurations and randomly mapped memory segments. This tactic may complicate exploit attempts of memory-corruption vulnerabilities.
The vendor released an advisory and updates. Please see the references for details.
Credits
Adam Twardoch of Fontlab Ltd.
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Disclaimer
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