Flaw could unleash another Slammer
Summary
A security firm finds that a recently patched Windows vulnerability could still be used to create a fast-moving worm similar to SQL Slammer. Topics
Core Security Technologies discovered that the Windows Workstation vulnerability announced by Microsoft last monthcould be exploited using the same type of data used by the SQL Slammer worm to spreadacross the Internet in just minutes.
What's new:
Researchers determined that an attacker could use a recently patched Microsoft flaw to create a fast-moving worm.
Bottom line:
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"We believe these new attack vectors make the vulnerability even moredangerous and critical as the proposed workarounds are not sufficient toclose them and particularly because they outline a very plausible scenario for a highly efficient worm," Ivan Arce, chief technology officer for security software maker Core Security Technologies, wrote in an e-mail to CNET News.com.
The company's report also found that flaws in the Windows Messenger service, which allowed the MSBlast worm to spread this summer, could be exploited using the same"fire-and-forget" user datagram protocol (UDP) packets. The packets don'trequire two computers to establish a connection, which takes time.Instead, the source computer can quickly send out the packets andnot worry about whether they reach their destination.
The research determined that an attacker doesn't have toindividually address computers on the network, but can broadcast anattack. Such a tactic could actually create a worm that spreads fasterthan the SQL Slammer worm did last year.
Core ST notified Microsoft of the increased seriousness of thevulnerability on Tuesday, but hadn't heard back from the company by late in the day, Arcesaid. Because a patch had already been released for the vulnerability,Core ST didn't feel obligated to wait for a Microsoft reply before publiclydisclosing the vulnerability, he said.
When contacted by CNET News.com, Microsoft urged customers to apply thepatch and stressed that new ways of exploiting flaws are constantly emerging.
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"There is no caveat that there will never be another attack vector,"said Iain Mulholland, a security program manager for Microsoft. "It israted as critical because we believe it is critical. Applying the patchdoes correct the problem."
Core ST acknowledged that the patches will prevent the attacks and alsourged people to apply the fixes. However, the company warned that theworkarounds that Microsoft had previously specified in its bulletinswill not protect against an attack via UDP packets. Such data also can beconfigured in such a way to bypass most firewalls.
Microsoft's security site contains more information on the flaws and fixes.
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