Description: This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Windows Media Player that could allow remote code execution when a specially crafted audio file is streamed from a Windows Media server. If a user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then 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. The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the manner in which Windows Media Player 11 handles audio files streamed from a server-side playlist (SSPL).

Update type: Critical

Release date: September 9, 2008

Applies to: All

Knowledge base: support.microsoft.com/kb/954154

Download link: 32-bit | 64-bit

Comments: Here are the specifics on the vulnerabilities covered by this update:

• Windows Media Player Sampling Rate Vulnerability – CVE-2008-2253