Software Engineering Institute

Winsock (Windows Socket 2) allows network applications to relay data across a network regardless of the network protocol being used. Microsoft's Winsock contains a buffer overflow vulnerability that can allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code and gain control of the affected system. Exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the remote attacker can convince the user to open a specially crafted file or website.

Microsoft's bulletin states that the following Windows operating systems are affected by this vulnerability:

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
• Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 2
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Service Pack 1
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems and Service Pack 1
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition

A remote attacker who can successfully convince a user to open a specially crafted file or website may be able to execute arbitrary code and gain control of the affected system.

Apply an update
Microsoft has released updates in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-041 to address this issue.

Workaround

Microsoft lists the following workaround for this vulnerability.

Modify the Autodial DLL

Modifying the Autodial DLL in the Windows registry will prevent specially crafted files and websites from invoking the affected API.

Please see the Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-041 for further details and cautions regarding use of the Registry Editor.

1. Click Start, click Run, and type regedit32, click OK
2. Locate the following key within the Registry Editor: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock2\Parameters
3. Double click the REG_SZ value AutoDialDLL
4. Set the value to kernel32.dll
5. Close the Registry Editor and reboot the system