Description: This security update resolves two privately reported vulnerabilities in the following Windows Media components: Windows Media Player, Windows Media Format Runtime, and Windows Media Services. The most severe vulnerability could allow remote code execution. 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 first vulnerability by modifying the way that Windows Media authentication replies are validated. The security update addresses the second vulnerability by ensuring that Windows Media clients treat servers using ISATAP addresses as external.

Update type: Important

Release date: December 9, 2008

Applies to: All

Knowledge base: support.microsoft.com/kb/959807

Download link: 32-bit | 64-bit

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

• SPN Vulnerability – CVE-2008-3009
• ISATAP Vulnerability – CVE-2008-3010